Workshop on green buildings guidance held

Manama, Jan. 27 (BNA): Under the patronage of the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf, a workshop was organised under the title ‘The Guidance Manual for Green Buildings Evaluation in the Kingdom of Bahrain’. The workshop was attended by Works Affairs Undersecretary Ahmed Al Khayyat, a number of officials from the Ministry and other concerned government parties. Al Khayyat stated that the workshop comes in light of the Ministry’s keenness to apply green buildings concept in the Kingdom, which has positive sustainable environmental impact on individuals and the society. The workshop aims to exchange expertise and lean the best practices in the field prior to approving the manual as a reference in green buildings in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Al Khayyat reiterated the importance of spreading awareness about green buildings and the benefits of applying sustainable construction techniques in reducing climate effects and provide a better and healthier environment that preserves economic and environmental balance. Al Khayyat added that the Ministry has activated the green buildings initiative since year 2010, through the implementation new projects for various government establishments in the Kingdom, which the Ministry designs and supervises to ensure sustainability of government projects and preserve energy, natural and available resources. Green buildings have contributed to water and energy conservation and reduction of operation and maintenance expenses, which traditional buildings do not provide. According to approved statistics, green buildings have reduced water and energy consumption by 30%, reduced operation and maintenance expenses by 15%, reduced carbonic emissions by 35% and 50-75% of construction waste. The most important projects that have applied the green buildings approach are the new schools recently implemented by the Ministry’s Construction Projects Directorate, including Wadi Al Sail Elementary/Intermediate School for Boys; the first environment-friendly school, Hamad Town Intermediate School for Boys, Malkiya Elementary/Intermediate School for Girls, Busaiteen Intermediate School for Girls, Hunainiya Secondary School for Boys and Isa Town Elementary School for Boys. The Ministry’s Development Advisor Dr. Falah Al Kubaisi, who also delivered the workshop, explained that the purpose behind establishing this manual is to put in place guiding measures and instructions for designers, landowners and consultation offices on green buildings systems application and its requirements. He added that the manual would have a guiding nature in the first stage, aiming to improve buildings performance by reducing power, water and resources consumption and improving the overall health of the population.