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Great opportunity in green planning

01 August 2016

DR IOANNIS SPANOS*, who will deliver a presentation as part of The Big 5 Kuwait’s first dedicated Sustainability Day, unveils the benefits of sustainable practices.

Sustainability is not just about providing something that is ‘green’: it is about providing a product of a better quality and a higher value. Good sustainability design improves residents’ quality of life and makes sustainable buildings more desirable.

The advantages of green buildings are manifold. Looking at the global commercial real estate market, sustainable buildings hold the highest occupancy rate while scoring higher rents to the benefit of their developers, apart from being good for the environment.

For the development of truly sustainable cities, however, proper urban planning is paramount. A building cannot operate in a sustainable way if the surrounding facilities do not support its functions. The design of street blocks can reduce energy consumption and cooling; the design of good roads can shrink distance travelled and commuting delays; correctly designed pedestrian and bicycle paths can limit the number of cars, making individuals more active; parks correctly placed in the urban-scape can provide elements of relaxation during stressful days. All of these urban planning elements improve and contribute to a building’s sustainability ratings. Most importantly, they provide the foundation for sustainable buildings and a sustainable living.

There is no doubt about it: in future, individuals residing in sustainable cities will be happier, with a higher life satisfaction rating. Not only will sustainability provide financial, social and environmental benefits: sustainable, smart cities will be able to do more with less.

While more and more new buildings are designed incorporating energy-efficient solutions, industry experts are researching and developing innovative ways to increase sustainability in older, existing buildings.

In Kuwait, if the buildings are low rise, then external insulation may be an option. This will have a triple benefit: reduce heat losses, reduce air leakage and stop any water penetration. High-rise buildings present bigger challenges, as it is extremely difficult to insulate existing walls. However, insulation is just a portion of potential energy efficiency measures.

Nowadays, LED (light-emitting diode) lighting at the cost of the fluorescence tubes, and fans of air handling units can consume 30 per cent less of what they used to consume 15 years ago; chillers’ efficiency has also increased dramatically. If any equipment is planned to be changed, then it makes a lot of sense to go for the most efficient option. Finally, the most cost-effective solution with an immediate benefit is improving the facilities’ management: studies demonstrate that buildings are currently wasting five to 10 per cent of their energy due to a lack of appropriate management.

Integration of photovoltaic panels is another option when it comes to increasing a building’s sustainability. In Kuwait, it is recommended that small scale projects are developed on the roofs of public sector buildings first. Here, in fact, installation costs can be kept low, energy can be used within the same facility and the overall financial benefit can return directly to the public. However, in order to support the diffusion of photovoltaic integration among private individuals as well, there is a need for the development of large scale financially attractive plans.

Indeed, investments in green building technologies and sustainable innovations are fundamental. Today, one of the biggest business opportunities in Kuwait’s construction industry is the development of sustainable projects. Stakeholders and developers are increasingly aware of the benefits of sustainability; however, there’s still a long way to go to fully implement sustainable best practices in the local design and construction industry.

Sustainable building techniques and materials have been tested globally, and their benefits proved. In order for sustainability to be fully integrated in the GCC construction landscape, contracts and design delivery should move forward to the construction process silos and produce a more coherent approach to the design and development of the projects. As the experience in the Western world and China demonstrate, if zero energy buildings are designed correctly, additional costs may be very small against the overall value and payback of the final product.

* Dr Spanos is a chartered energy engineer with a PhD in the physics of energy in urban environments, and is shortlisted among the final three for the ‘Engineering of the Year – ME Architect Awards 2014’ and for the ‘Engineering of the Year – CW Qatar Awards 2014’. He is senior sustainability manager at KEO International Consultants. Dr Spanos will deliver a presentation on “Developing a project management approach to the design of net zero energy buildings”, at The Big 5 Kuwait 2016 on September 27, as part of the show’s Sustainability Day.