Over the last decade, the term “sustainability” has figured prominently in city planning discussions aiming to create comfortable places to live, work, learn and relax. In an accelerated world, the need to set standards that guide city development becomes necessary and important. In the case of Qatar, where globalization has proclaimed new types of projects and facilities, GSAS, the Global Sustainability Assessment System (formerly known as QSAS, Qatar Sustainability Assessment System) has emerged as a...

The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope construction in the hot humid climate of the Gulf Region. The villa, a detached family home on two floors, was built using pre-cast concrete panels - a Modern Method of Construction that is widely used across the Gulf Region and in many other countries. Interlocking assemblies of type permeodynamic insulation cells were fitted internally over the available wall area...

Amidst the growing commitment of reducing energy consumption across the Gulf Region, the rising discourse and practice of sustainability in institutions of higher learning has led to energy- efficiency investments to improve the overall environmental performance. There is an increasing level of legislation addressing energy and environmental issues. Recently, Qatar Construction Specifications upgraded requirements aimed at improving the energy-efficiency of domestic, public and commercial buildings by adopting the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) requirement hence,...

The built environment has a direct impact on the Gulf Region natural environment, the economy and human health. Buildings have to respond to local climate and site conditions to maximize building users’ comfort and health while minimizing energy use. Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) developed a simplified, standalone, building energy standard to support Qatar’s and the MENA region building energy ratings. Air conditioning counts for more than 60% of the electricity consumption in GCC countries....

The Gulf region is one of the most arid regions in the world. The lack of water is considered as the most important problem. Annual rainfall is slight and erratic, with an annual average of 81 millimetres in Doha. As a result, renewable ground water resources are extremely limited and, in addition, there are problems with groundwater salinity. The atmosphere, endless source of water, contains a large quantity of water in the form of vapour...