May 27 2010
Public Works Authority (ASHGAL), adopts Qatar Sustainable Assessment System (QSAS) and the concept of sustainable developments in its public building projects. ASHGAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BARWA & Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI) on the provision of measures to adopt, apply and develop a sustainable building concept to create a better living environment for natives and residents.
The MOU will be singed on Wednesday, 26th may 2010 at ASHGAL headquarter by Eng. Nasser Ali AI- Mawlawi, President of Public Works Authority, and Dr. Yousef Mohamed Al-Horr, Chairman & Managing Director of BQDRI in the presence of senior officials from both organizations and Eng. Issa Al-Kildari CEO of Lusail City.
The MOU aims to reaffirm the commitment of both organizations to preserve the environment and enhancing the concept of sustainability to ensure a healthy environmental life for future generations, through:
- Cooperation in applying the Qatar Sustainable Assessment System (QSAS) in various building projects to reduce the impacts of climate change and provide a better living environment that maintains the economic and environmental balance on one hand and the national identity of Qatar on the other.
- Contributing to the research and development in the environmental issues of common concern.
This initiative of both organisations came in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 that asserts due focus on sustainable development, guaranteeing preservation of natural resources and reduced environmental affects while supporting the economic boom of Qatar witnessed today in the era of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.
Speaking in the MOU signing ceremony, Eng. AI- Mawlawi said: "Our MOU with BQDRI and the adoption of QSAS will allow ASHGAL to take the lead in addressing strategic issues related to preserving Qatar's natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, minimization of ecological impacts, and assurance of environmental quality."
“Being the authority responsible for developing and managing pioneer infrastructure that supports the developmental objectives of the State of Qatar, ASHGAL requires innovative systems with complete flexibility that complies with Qatar's real estate development identity. Our choice of QSAS and cooperation with BQDRI, is based on the advantages that differentiate QSAS from other practiced rating systems in the region and which is in compliance with preserving our heritage and identity," Eng. AI- Mawlawi continued.
He added saying, “Our partnership with BQDRI to deploy QSAS is due to the fact that QSAS is the first of its kind in the Middle East which depends on the objective performance, and was developed based on local needs while leveraging best practices which is a definite advantage, especially for regions where environmental, economic, social, and cultural conditions are unlike other areas in the world such as desertification, scarcity of water and the cultural and national identity."
Eng. AI- Mawlawi concluded: "From our belief and commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030, partnering with BQDRI and QSAS will make ASHGAL, the responsible authority for building schools, mosques and general governmental buildings, a model for the environmental commitments towards our beloved country."
On the other hand, Dr Al-Horr, Chairman of BQDRI congratulated ASHGAL and BQDRI for this partnership, commenting that both organizations share a commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030 and to the need for advanced and integrated sustainability practices which preserve the environment and national identity.
Dr Al-Horr added saying, "BQDRI abided by the science and researches of sustainability and analyzed the real estate industry on the basis of sustainable development and concluded that there was a need for an assessment system based on the needs of Qatar and the region., All other solutions applied in GCC and MENA regions are imported and don’t comply with the society, culture, climate as well as other various environmental conditions which exist in the region.”
"QSAS offers a lot of advantages which are not available in any other imported system. For instance, QSAS responds to urgent issues such as preserving the architectural identity of Qatar and the region, and enhancing the creative solutions to address other challenges like water scarcity and lack of non-hydrocarbon raw materials, in addition to its complete flexibility to respond to all environmental, social and economic issues of the Middle East region,” he concluded.
Since its inception, BQDRI has been organizing Training & Development workshops assuring its committee of its ability to lead sustainability in the Qatari real estate market. It may be noted that BQDRI has planned to conduct a QSAS Workshop in the end of May, in cooperation with experts and researchers from T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulations and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. The workshop aims at empowering industry professionals with the necessary tools and means of sustainable development including:
- Training to become QSAS - CERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONAL™ to secure projects from Lusail Municipality and BARWA Real Estate,
- The latest knowledge and understanding of QSAS green building practices and principles, and how to apply them in Qatar and the region
- Training in the QSAS procedures guide, tools, applications and assessment requirements, to guide the consultant to successfully complete the evaluation phases
- The necessary educational materials to support them during their training
Dr. Al-Horr called upon local and international companies to take the lead in training and qualifying their staff at all levels on the latest applications of QSAS in the field of green building design and adopting the professional practices that meet the environmental, cultural and social needs and priorities of Qatar and the region.
Source: http://www.ashghal.gov.qa/