Expert calls for promoting green building concept

Saudi Green Building Forum, hosted by German Embassy, was held in Riyadh on Wednesday. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Dieter Waller expressed his country’s willingness to help in the promotion of the “green building concept” in the Kingdom.
“We are willing to contribute to a large infrastructure program in the Kingdom with Saudi partners. This program involves a sustainable concept in the building and construction industry,” the German envoy told the forum participants.
The event was one of various forums regularly held at the German Embassy. Different topics were discussed at earlier forums.
The German envoy said that at present a German firm, Hochtief, is involved in a 60,000-unit housing project in Dammam where sustainable and clean building standards are being used.
Faisal Al-Fadl, a US-educated architect and secretary-general of the King Abdullah Initiative for Clean Building, emphasized the need for promoting the Saudi green building concept.
According to him, the concept is very important to contemporary Saudi society in many ways such as in the improvement of renewable energy sources, high water quantity and recycling, solid waste management and improved environmental conditions.
The green building concept uses mud instead of concrete and steel in building construction.
Al-Fadl said some buildings in the Kingdom have been built using the green building concept, and pointed out King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) as one of the fine examples.
He said that at an earlier forum, Prince Mansour bin Miteb, municipalities and rural affairs minister, stressed the importance of the private sector’s role in green building innovations.
Al-Fadl also explained the concept of urban and environmental balance to the national urban development strategy of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the creation of a Saudi green building code.
He also recommended the launching of a national campaign for water and electricity rationalization using alternative energy sources and water recycling to create a responsible culture and the preservation of the local heritage and the national identity of urban Saudi society.
Al-Fadl said that rewards should be given to those who use alternative and environment-friendly resources in cooperation with local authorities. He said that nongovernment agencies must support professional and scientific societies through vocational training and continuing education.
Al-Fadl also suggested that the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS) be changed to Gulf Sustainability Assessment System, adding that the proposed Riyadh-based organization will offer research and development plans for green buildings in the Gulf.
Saudi Council of Engineers must be supported in promoting a culture of green buildings in Saudi Arabia with domestic and international representation and conclude the establishment procedures of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, he said.
He also recommended the establishment of a special national commission for green buildings at the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Saudi investment bodies.