Estidama Organises Sustainability Workshops for Villa Owners
02/11/2011
Emirati villa owners in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi briefed on
the mandatory Pearl Rating System requirements
Estidama - the sustainability programme spearheaded by the Abu
Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) - recently held two villa owner'
workshops in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi on November 1 and 2
respectively. These workshops provided villa owners with
important step-by-step guidance on how residential sustainability
best practices can be employed prior, during and after the
development of stand-alone villas and townhouses and the importance
of doing this.
The workshops, part of an ongoing awareness and training
campaign by Estidama, will also include another set of sessions in
Al Ain on December 12 at Al Ain Municipality and in Abu Dhabi on
December 13 at Abu Dhabi Municipality. Held in collaboration with
the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) and the three
municipalities of the Emirate, the workshops saw technical experts
from Estidama, the UPC and DMA help private individuals -who either
own or plan to build their own villa - better understand the
requirements of Estidama, the benefits of sustainability and the
steps that need to be undertaken in order to apply for the One
Pearl rating that is mandatory for all properties in Abu Dhabi.
"With Abu Dhabi's sustainable growth, there will of course be
more demands on energy and water resources. We are addressing these
issues and we rely, among other things, on Estidama initiatives to
help reduce overall consumption. Building sustainable homes is a
healthier, more comfortable and environmentally friendly choice,
which also makes sound financial sense in terms of return on
investment," said H.E. Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi, General Manager at
the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.
The workshops aim to transform the planning, design and
construction standards of individual- villas and townhouses across
the Emirate. Al Ahbabi adds: 'Homeowners have a choice in the
orientation, design and building materials for their residences and
if informed choices are made then they will positively contribute
to Abu Dhabi's sustainability commitment, which will bring about
significant benefits to the ecosystem in accordance with the
guiding principles of Vision 2030."
Villa owners received firsthand knowledge on industry
acknowledged best practices for construction material selection,
unit insulation for interior roofs and walls as well as for door
and window frames, cooling techniques and equipment, shading,
landscaping and irrigation tips, energy and water saving
methods.
Recently the UPC, together with the Municipal System, unveiled
the Estidama Pearl Villa Manual. The detailed manual is
designed to assist villa owners, design consultants, contractors
and suppliers in maintaining Estidama standards during the villa
construction process and provides comprehensive guidance on the
requirements of Estidama. As well as this, the manual, available
online on www.estidama.org,
provides an overview of the Estidama Pearl Villa Rating System
(PVRS) and the steps to follow in the application process for new
and existing users of the programme. The manual also introduces a
simplified compliance procedure for product selection and offers
advice on how to select materials and suppliers.
Highlighting the importance of the workshops and community
involvement, Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Director of Planning and
Infrastructure at the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), said:
"Awareness, education and knowledge are the main drivers that
empower behavioural change and a change in mindsets of individuals
towards sustainability is a core part of ensuring that Estidama
gradually and positively impacts our environment."
By working closely with communities, organisations, businesses
and policy makers, Estidama is helping to preserve and enrich
Abu Dhabi's physical and cultural identity while constantly
striving to improve quality of life for its residents "
For more information on Estidama, the Pearl Rating System and
the training sessions offered, please visit www.estidama.org