Arabian Construction Week 2011 to Address Green Building in Middle East Region

Dubai-UAE: 09 March, 2011 – Clarion Events Middle East, along with Corporate Publishing International, the strategic partner of Arabian Construction Week 2011, announced it will host four summits during the event – Building Smart, Infrastructure, Climate Control, and Green Building.



Held alongside the summits, the Arabian Construction Week also consists of three dedicated trade shows - Green Building Middle East for sustainable construction solutions; Future Build Middle East for innovative construction products; and Civil Engineering Middle East highlighting major infrastructure developments.



The UAE‘s Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said that the green market will double from US$1.37 trillion a year at present to US$2.74 trillion by 2020. With a growing number of construction firms embracing eco-conscious business models, the Green Building Middle East Summit is the ideal complement to the Build Green Exhibition.



With the world looking at Abu Dhabi's construction sector to lead the sustainable movement, a selection of the world’s leading sustainable building experts will speak about ‘green’ technologies, practices, materials and initiatives that can benefit construction sites across the Middle East. They will also discuss and update delegates about global perspectives on rating systems, power projects, educational development and carbon reductions.



Day one of the Green Building Middle East will see leading figures from the global green building industry reflect on the sectors growth and discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie in the years ahead. With a focus on their home markets these experts will present solutions which could be implemented in the Middle East's construction market. Topics of discussion include global perspectives on rating systems, green construction and the impact of green legislation, sustainable development and the environmental challenges ahead.



During the Arabian Construction Week, the Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC) will host a Focus Day on 30 March, on the theme ‘Abu Dhabi: Regulations & Assessment Tools – Their Application and Implementation’. The event will bring together leading industry players and regulatory authorities allowing them to network and share ideas and strategies to promote sustainable practices. Through case studies, the Focus Day will take a close look at the application and implementation of green building regulations, guidelines and assessment tools in Abu Dhabi. The workshop will serve as a forum to discuss the course of action needed to successfully undertake the design of sustainable buildings and to meet the local green building requirements.



Abu Dhabi regulators, who are developing the guidelines, will address the participants, who will also have the opportunity to listen to industry experts engaged in pilot projects and case studies in which the local guidelines and assessment tools are being applied.



Adnan Sharafi, Chairman, Emirates Green Building Council, said: “The Emirates Green Building Council is committed to promoting sustainable building practices in the UAE. We will showcase industry best practices that help achieve our organizational goals at the Arabian Construction Week. The event serves as a perfect platform for us to highlight the opportunities and challenges in driving sustainable building development. Emirates GBC will have a dedicated pavilion at the event, where members and non-members can interact and highlight their insights on green buildings.”



The second day will see industry leaders reflect on the growth of the green building industry and share thoughts on the future success of the sector. Topics of discussion include sustaining the future, adopting sustainability to improve environmental performance, making solar-powered water reuse projects work in the Middle East, encouraging innovation for growth and the challenges of energy and environment, carbon capture and reduction, renewables and sustainability in construction, carbon dioxide reduction in concrete production, and dealing with waste.



According to a recent online survey conducted by Landmark Advisory from 241 participants across various sectors, including real estate investment, development, construction, architecture, valuation and consultants, "improving the sustainability of the UAE starts with making our buildings green". The report states that factors they frequently associated with green buildings include: Environmental friendliness (83 per cent), lower utility bills (54 per cent) and better design (36 per cent).



The report also cites the US Green Building Council statistics showing that buildings in the US produce 38 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions, account for 72 per cent of total electricity consumption and 39 per cent of all energy use.



Christopher Hudson, Managing Director of Clarion Events Middle East, said: “The construction industry in the Middle East and North Africa region demonstrates significant interest in green building. Government officials and industry leaders recognise the vital economical and environmental consequences of failing to attain a sustainable property market. Arabian Construction Week 2011 welcomes key delegates to speak on innovative strategies to reach and profit from sustainability in the region, enhancing the country’s commitment for a green future.”



The Arabian Construction Week will take place from 28-30 March, 2011, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The conference will be attended by industry leaders, contractors, developers, urban planners, architects, consultants, government organisations and financiers.