Sustainability in building use and the environment have spawned a number of international initiatives for a more socially and environmentally responsible construction industry. The ultimate aim is the need for a better quality of life through sustainable development.
There is an increasing demand locally and internationally to understand sustainable construction practices. Such practices not only help the environment but can also improve economic profitability and relationships with stakeholder groups.
Smart City Malta aims to be the first 'green' development in Malta. Drawing huge benefits from its parent company Tecom Investments, the project hopes to be a unique point of reference in building construction and natural resource management.
Dubai-based Tecom Investments recently launched the Sustainable Development Report, a first for the Middle East. The report presents the results of three years of sustainability efforts and highlights results from the implementation of Tecom's Sustainable Development Policy instituted in 2006 - the first such initiative among corporate entities in the region.
The policy rests on five pillars: energy and water conservation programme, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of new and existing buildings, sustainable procurement, awareness generation of staff and renewable energy.
Tecom's Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED) has been spearheading the implementation of the policy and the report aims to share knowledge, dispel misconceptions on sustainability and highlight the positive impact of sustainability.
As part of its sustainability focus, Tecom this year delivered two LEED-certified projects to the region, with over 600,000 square feet of space. The company's management office renovation project secured a LEED Platinum in commercial interior and became the only second such project outside of the US. Dubai International Academic City's Phase 3, which secured a LEED Silver, was the largest LEED-certified project in the region at the time.
The report highlights significant achievements by Tecom Investments in sustainability, including energy and water cost reduction of €1.34 million in 2008 and reduction of CO2 emissions amounting to an equivalent 13,930 tonnes.
The Water Savers Programme, which involved installing ultra-low flow water savers throughout many of Tecom's entities, has reduced water flow from 7.6 litres to 1.9 litres per minute, while return on investment was achieved within 22 days.
This year, Tecom's Energy and Water Conservation Programme has generated savings worth €1.74 million between January and August, with an equivalent CO2 emission reduction of 11,576 tonnes.
Smart City Malta plans to have a workplace that will enable employees to deliver and contribute more effectively towards the organisation's goals. During his recent visit to Malta, Smart City Malta acting chief executive officer Fareed Abdulrahman said environmental issues were a top priority.
The site's natural and inherent qualities provide advantages. From orientation to water supply, the buildings and the development's infrastructure will showcase an intuitive and sustainable approach to design. Ali Bin Towaih, executive director of SEED, who attended the Alter Energy Convention held between October 27 and 29 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, said Dubai was experiencing a major shift in attitudes towards commercial development.
"Tecom Investments has played an instrumental role in engineering this shift, providing outstanding business facilities and services as well as a convenient and pleasant environment for businesses to function seamlessly. While Tecom Investments is a knowledge-based corporation with a large number of building projects pursuing LEED certification in the region, we continue to demonstrate our commitment towards endorsing sustainable development."
He added that the green buildings concept is not new to the region. People who have lived in the desert have always found ways to adapt to prevailing environmental conditions. Traditional homes on the Arabian peninsula were suitably developed to harness the power of natural sunlight, while the interior was kept cool with the use of the wind tower mechanism.
Although modern technological advances have led many to move away from these traditional techniques, the unfortunate ramification of such advances have also led to a massive increase in energy consumption and a higher carbon footprint.
"While we must continuously seek to improve our technological capabilities, we must not do so at the expense of our environment and remember that our past will remain a source of inspiration not only for the present generation but for those to come," Mr Towaih said.