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A step by step guide to achieving LEED certification

Article-A step by step guide to achieving LEED certification

green building.jpg

LEED certifications are awarded to any kind of building or construction project, big or small, commercial, industrial or residential.

Winning certification not only demonstrates your commitment to fight climate change, but can also reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency and even secure tax benefits from local government.

HOW TO GET LEED CERTIFICATION FOR BUILDINGS

Before undergoing the process for LEED certification, certain steps are required to ensure a green building is up to code. 

Firstly, your building must meet certain minimum characteristics relating to location and size to ensure it can be considered; make sure you tick them all off on your LEED certification checklist. Secondly, you must identify the rating system most appropriate for your building—there are five different systems broken down by types of building.

Then, there are four main steps your project must undergo to get LEED certification.

1. Registration
All projects pursuing certification must register on the LEED online platform, where you can submit important forms and complete payment. You must also assemble your Project Team, which will take on certain roles during the LEED certification process.

2. Application
Gather all relevant documentation, perform calculations and analysis and make sure you’ve met all the prerequisites for the LEED Credits your building is pursuing. You must then perform a rigorous quality check to make sure you are accurately reporting common data points such as floor area, occupancy and total materials cost.

3. Review
Having submitted your application, your team will then play an active role in the review process. The review will check your application for completeness, determining which credits your building meets. If your building fails any prerequisites, you will be given an opportunity to submit revised documentation.

4. Certification
If your project has met all the relevant requirements, it will receive a certification. There are four levels of certification—Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—depending on the number of points it has attained during the review.

Each step involves rigorous testing of every aspect of your building, but receiving LEED certification represents an enormous boost to your reputation as an active and effective participant in the fight against climate change. 

With buildings contributing as much of 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions, this is more important than ever. 
 

To know more about LEED Certification, click here

How LEED combats climate change

Article-How LEED combats climate change

LEED building.jpg

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, buildings account for almost 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions annually—and that number does not account for the additional environmental cost of construction and transport.

NO SIMPLE CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS

There are no simple climate change solutions, but LEED certification is one surefire way to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the built environment.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a set of standards first developed in the year 2000 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Now internationally recognised, LEED includes a set of ratings covering design, construction, operation, and maintenance with the aim of promoting sustainable buildings and eco-friendly construction. It encourages the construction of long-lasting buildings, and the integration of green technology LEED system is unique in that in covers the planning, design, construction, operation and end-of-life of a building. It considers energy performance, carbon offsets, efficient water use and sustainable locations, as well as reduced landfill use and alternative transportation use. In that sense, it is a more holistic set of standards than others.

LEED

DUBAI REAL ESTATE IS PLAYING ITS PART

The Dubai real estate sector is among those already embracing the opportunities of green buildings, ranking third in the world for the number of LEED-certifications. Today, there is a grand total of 2,500 LEED-certified buildings in the Middle East, with the United Arab Emirates leading the pack with 600 projects—followed closely by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Dubai’s Change Initiative Building was at one point the most sustainable commercial building in the world according to LEED standards. It showcases cutting-edge sustainable construction practices, as well as solar panels, reflective paint, water reuse systems and recycled materials.

Green buildings are not only an essential global warming solution, but also an incredible device for reducing overheads. Energy efficiency, reduced operating costs and a healthier indoor environment quality will allow real estate developers in the MENA region to reap the dividends.

 

To know more about LEED Certification, click here

Cityscape Intelligence Videos

The hospitality industry in the Middle East during the COVID-19 era

Video-The hospitality industry in the Middle East during the COVID-19 era

Video first published on 31 August 2020

Hotels in the Middle East have long had a reputation of providing the highest quality service for guests who seek five-star luxury treatment. Now, when the region’s hospitality industry is faced with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels are experiencing pressures like never before – the hospitality landscape has already begun experiencing exponential change, the flow-on effects of which are likely to be felt for some time. Factoring in new guidelines and regulations such as social distancing, we, as agents of change, are now tasked with looking at how the fundamentals of hotel design will need to evolve to meet these practical measures while still being able to provide travelers with the luxury experience they seek.

THE IMPACT ON HOTELS DURING COVID

What typically sets apart world-class hospitality is the influence of design within the property, the technological innovations that enhance the guest experience, and the staff's service. These factors have been compromised by the pandemic. It is the architect and designer’s role to study this and overcome it with strategies that reprioritize space and create memorable experiences, which both protect the health and safety of the guests and deliver a commercial return for owners and operators.

With social distancing being a ‘ new normal ’, many trends are influencing the industry that needs to be incorporated but without conceding the feeling of comfort and luxury. Guests will still want to travel but will seek a private, more isolated experience and may prefer more a sense of privacy in the hotel, safely distanced with a private pool and a controlled-capacity clubhouse within a resort environment for example.

HOW WILL HOTEL ROOMS CHANGE?

Hotel rooms have in recent years been designed to be more compact as the hotel’s social and common areas were considered to be where a guest would most likely spend more time. A room was a place to take a shower, watch TV, and sleep. Now, it is a sanctuary with luxurious linens and comfortable furnishings but... 

Find out more by reading the full article here

Photo Credit: J Shim on Unsplash 
 

A look at how the World Logistics Passport is helping Dubai to become a global trading hub

Article-A look at how the World Logistics Passport is helping Dubai to become a global trading hub

The World Logistics Passport scheme was launched by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at last year’s World Economic Forum in Davos to create an interconnected network of trading “megahubs” in eleven nations across the world.

INCREASED TRADE TO MEGAHUBS

Among the countries currently signed up to the scheme are India, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, Colombia and South Africa.

It is essentially a global freight loyalty scheme, offering benefits to traders and freight forwarders in exchange for increased trade to each of the programme’s “megahubs”.

In this way, it will increase the flow of trade between the participating locations, and offer major corporations the opportunity to diversify into developing markets. Indeed, a number of multinational corporations including UPS, Pfizer, Sony, Johnson & Johnson, and LG have already registered as World Logistics Passport members.

INVESTING IN COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SECTORS

In the wake of the global economic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also seen as a way to bolster competitiveness and economic resilience by reducing costs and improving efficiency.

The scheme will also help cement Dubai’s position as a major port and trading hub for multimodal trade, in particular by leveraging the city’s strong relationships with developing markets in Asia and Africa.

The World Logistics Passport will provide opportunities for firms to invest in commercial and industrial sectors in the UAE; with Dubai acting as the central hub for this new network, companies can use the port as a base to expand into the partner nations.

But the scheme is not just based around physical assets. The WLP’s progress will be showcased ruing a brand-new virtual “e-Summit” in May—already labelled the “Davos of Freight” by some commentators.

Organisers hope the World Logistics Passport will become a key element of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery.

 

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USD 10 billion partnership between UAE and Indonesia to increase tourism, industry, energy

Article-USD 10 billion partnership between UAE and Indonesia to increase tourism, industry, energy

The money will primarily go towards infrastructure development, with road and port infrastructure, tourism and agriculture benefiting in particular.

SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN INDONESIA

This represents the single largest investment in the Indonesia Investment Authority, or INA, since it was launched by President Joko Widodo in February.

The Indonesian government hopes this new investment, which joins previous commitments by the likes of the United States International Development Finance Corporation and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, will help narrow the gap between domestic funding capabilities and the growing national demand for investment in ‘strategic infrastructure’.

Headed by former PT Bank Permata boss Ridha Wirakusumah, the fund also has the authority to borrow and lend. Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has suggested that the INA’s ability to mobilise significant funds if depends on attracting more foreign direct investment.

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UAE & INDONESIA

The UAE is a natural early investor. The two countries have enjoyed warm relations over the past few years, with the volume of trade between the pair estimated at around ISD3.7 billion.

Indeed, this new investment comes in the wake of UAE–Indonesia Week 2021, during which several cooperation agreements on ports, logistics and defence were signed.

In recent years, Indonesia has been the beneficiary of significant investment from Emirati organisations. For instance, the Abu Dhabi clean energy firm Masdar signed a power-purchase agreement with the Indonesian state energy company, paving the way for the construction of the country’s first floating solar photovoltaic plant.

FDI from countries like the United Arab Emirates is essential for Indonesia’s economic development. In particular, it will lift the burden on indebted state companies whose balance sheets have been hit hard by infrastructure commitments.

This new USD10 billion investment is therefore a significant vote of confidence in diplomatic and economic ties between Indonesia and the UAE.

 

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UAE is investing USD 300billion into expanding its industrial sector

Article-UAE is investing USD 300billion into expanding its industrial sector

Called “Operation 300bn”, this ten-year industrial strategy aims to raise the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the national economy from Dh133 to Dh300 billion by 2030.

The investment was announced by Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum this week alongside a new “Make it the Emirates” industrial identity aimed at creating an attractive business environment for international talent, developed and investors.

ADVANCING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke about the need to “advance the industrial sector as a major driver of the national economy over the next 50 years” as part of the UAE’s sustainable development goals. The government hopes that by boosting the national industrial base, the country will be better insulated against economic disruption and global crises.

In particular, Sheikh Al Nahyan highlighted artificial intelligence, space technologies, energy and pharmaceuticals as vital industries for the UAE’s economic development, emphasising the need for greater youth participation in these sectors.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ADVANCED TECH & SMART INFRASTRUCTURE

Led by Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the strategy will centre on initiatives to support the creation of 13,500 new industrial SMEs. It will focus mainly on companies and industries that embrace sustainable development, advanced technology and smart infrastructure.

This new investment can leverage the world-class infrastructure at the Dubai Industrial City, which has been a key driver for the country’s industrial sector.

Already the region’s largest manufacturing and logistics hub covering more than 550 million square foot, proponents of Operation 300bn hope the expanding Emirati manufacturing base will prompt greater investment in warehouse, retail and mixed-use real estate at the industrial park.

By investing in logistics, real estate, research and development, and the country’s knowledge-based economy, Operation 300bn is designed to cement the Emirates as an attractive global business destination.

 

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Hotel portfolio makes history as the only portfolio in the world to receive LEED Platinum

Article-Hotel portfolio makes history as the only portfolio in the world to receive LEED Platinum

Real estate developer Majid Al Futtaim has become the first and only conglomerate in the world to be awarded the prestigious LEED Platinum certification for its entire 13-property hotel portfolio.

Awarded by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), Majid Al Futtaim has over the last few years has looked at integrating sustainability within their portfolio.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is widely respected as the pre-eminent green building rating system; with the award certification being viewed — globally — as a marker of sustainability excellence.

Projects are awarded one of four certifications: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Each of Majid Al Futtaim’s 13 hotels was certified Platinum; with two hotel brands — IBIS Novotel Deira and IBIS Novotel, Mall of the Emirates — garnering a maximum of 88 points on the LEED rating system.

IBIS Novotel Mall of the Emirates.jpg

Ibrahim al Zubi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, said:  “The award of the LEED Platinum certifications is a testament to our best-in-class building principles, unwavering commitment to sustainability and determination to overcome the most pressing and persistent of environmental challenges — even in the wake of COVID-19. The entire Majid Al Futtaim family, not least our hardworking colleagues, can be immensely proud of this achievement; a first, not just for the region, but on a global scale. Ultimately, this represents a major show of confidence in our work and sustainability efforts. We are determined to accomplish even more in the future and set new benchmarks for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), as well as eco-conscious business for the region and the world.”

 


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Press Release

New mortgage finance programme to boost demand in Egypt’s residential property market, says JLL

Article-New mortgage finance programme to boost demand in Egypt’s residential property market, says JLL

The new mortgage financing programme is directed at low and middle-income Egyptians to support their ability to own housing units through long-term loans of up to 30 years with low interest that does not exceed 3%.

Ayman Sami, Country Head, JLL Egypt, said: “This initiative is the first of its kind in Egypt with such a low interest rate and the longest settlement duration that has ever been witnessed. The residential real estate market has been impacted by the lack of affordability which continued to put pressure on developers and buyers. Given Egypt has a large population base and the majority of buyers are in the mid-to-low income bracket, this initiative will help boost demand in this sector and the wider economy.

“The Egyptian government has been praised by international organisations for the economic reforms that took place over the past couple of years, including managing to have positive growth during the COVID period. With real estate continuing to be a high contributor to the country’s GDP, we expect this move by the government to bring further positive results going forward.”

 

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Growing fiscal deficit drives Oman to invest in tourism

Article-Growing fiscal deficit drives Oman to invest in tourism

Oman’s national debt grew from less than 5% of its GDP in 2014 to an unseen, disconcerting high of near 56% of its GDP in 2019 — and this when the nation’s state coffers had only to grapple with the slump in oil prices. The COVID-19 pandemic, its aftermath was still a while off.

In fact, Oman’s heavy reliance on external borrowing has routinely sparked concerns within investor circles: the country’s credit rating plummeted from ‘safe’ in 2014 to ‘high-risk’ in 2020. Most major rating agencies recently cut and calibrated its outlook to ‘negative’, while its budget deficit was declared the highest in the region.

Oman has quite successfully mitigated the threat to public health, but the pandemic has left it more financially vulnerable than ever before. The nation’s economy contracted 6.4% in 2020, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month, projecting only a modest recovery to 1.8% this year.

The problem is oil. Or, rather, a crippling dependency on it. Petroleum activities accounted for 36% of Oman’s GDP by 2018 — most experts will tell you, that sort of lack of diversification, that sort of overreliance on a single source, and especially one so volatile, will put your financial health in jeopardy.

Add to that Oman’s somewhat humble financial reserves relative to some of its wealthy neighbours. Estimates put the total worth of the nation’s two largest sovereign wealth funds at around USD 17 billion. That, coupled with troubling projections Oman’s oil and gas reserves might run out in two decades, have stirred the nation to an aggressive diversification campaign.

KEY CHANGES

If you’re looking for a non-oil sector with the potential for high revenues, you need look no further than tourism. The UAE, and more recently Saudi Arabia, have invested heavily in tourism development, and now so is Oman. This is in line with the nation’s Vision 2040, Oman’s plan to diversify its economy away from oil.

At the beginning of this year, after the pandemic and Oman’s growing fiscal deficit spurred it to assertive action, the nation introduced several incentives that benefit the tourism and hospitality sectors: tax cuts, fee exemptions, foreign ownership of land and companies, and long-term residency permits for foreign investors.

Oman has also restructured its investments. Tourism properties owned by Oman Investment Authority (OIA), as well as a number of shares, have been transferred to Omran Group, the country’s tourism development arm. According to an official statement, this move will “drive growth for the group, and strengthen its role in supporting economic diversification”. A key project included in this transfer is the Yiti Sustainable Tourism City, a 1.5 million square-metre waterfront tourism complex. And at the end of last year, Oman also introduced visa-free travel for nationals flying in from 103 countries, for a period of 14 days.

On the back of these developments, and a recent stimulus package, a fresh IMF report published this week concludes Oman’s net borrowing could reach zero in 2024. So, while oil might have funded the first 50 years of Oman’s economic growth, non-oil activities will now steer the nation into the future.

 

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How Jeddah’s new car-free city will drive investment & artistry

Article-How Jeddah’s new car-free city will drive investment & artistry

Inspired by nature, history and local architecture, Airport City in Jeddah is a new urban district and this year’s Cityscape Intelligence’s KSA Awards winner in the commercial - office category.

In fact Airport City, Jeddah’s new mixed-use urban district will skilfully combine sustainability, traditional architecture and artistry to create a tourism and investment hub.

DYNAMIC & SUSTAINABLE MIXED-USE COMMUNITY

For London-based Chapman Taylor, the master planners behind the ambitious project, the 1.91 million m² GBA introduces an innovative mixed-use community concept to the region, creating diverse tourism and business opportunities.

“The scheme will deliver a dynamic and sustainable mix of provisions around a central avenue, which links the airport's railway station to the airport's dedicated mosque. Included within the masterplan are shops, leisure and entertainment functions, healthcare clinics, private residences, a financial district, an artisans' district, a green food yard and a central artists' district.

Green spaces and water features are provided throughout the development, along with public squares, a village street, botanic gardens, a family promenade, and other beautifully landscaped areas,” say the master planners.

AirportCityJeddah_MixedUse

A CITY WITHIN A CITY

With plans to create investment and tourism hubs across Saudi Arabia, Airport City is a new type of transport-oriented development that sits at the crossroads between Jeddah Airport and the Makkah/Medina HST access, within the Jeddah City Expansion Area and will include within it a complete city district with commercial, residential, retail, entertainment, hospitality, exhibition, and conference and cultural facilities.

“The masterplan creates a socially, economically and commercially sustainable, new-generation mixed-use development with a human scale, creating a perfect synergy between the landscape and the architecture,” according to Chapman Taylor.

AirportCityJeddah_CityView

PROJECT FACTS:

  • Masterplanner: Chapman Taylor
  • Client: SARH Airport Development and Real Estate Investment, together with AE Prime as a lead consultant and project manager
  • Design: The masterplan design emphasises plug & play flexibility and high connectivity, with designs inspired by nature, history and traditional local architecture and art, in addition to careful planning, well-curated community spaces and an in-depth understanding of user requirements.

SUSTAINABILITY AIMS:

  • Ensure energy efficiency and ecological diversity
  • A car-free sustainable city
  • Providing a complete and balanced mixed-use development, including a feature destination in the beautiful Central Park.
  • Planning a very well intra-connected urban development
  • Reduce all types of pollution (e.g. air, sound, water, soil)
  • Help increase the Saudi contribution to international arts and culture.

 

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