The document discusses the establishment of sustainable design standards and building codes in Kuwait. It provides context on the National Committee of Building Codes in Kuwait (NCOBC) and its goals of working towards a sustainable built environment through coordinated codes, standards, and practices. It outlines the challenges of adopting green approaches in Kuwait. It then details the work stages of NCOBC's Green Buildings Technical Team, including initial studies of green building systems and applications, developing standards and codes, and monitoring implementation. The document analyzes the environmental impacts of buildings and construction practices in Kuwait and the GCC region. It also reviews international and regional green building rating systems to select the most appropriate for Kuwait.

1. FUNDAMENTALS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF
`
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STANDARDS AND
CODE IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD OF
KUWAIT
National Committee of Building Codes in Kuwait
Eng. Alia Al.Sayegh
Chair of Green Buildings Technical Team
23rd May, 2012
KUWAIT GREEN BUILDING FORUM

2. GCC Construction Projects

3. Establishment of KNCOBC
• National Committee of Building Codes of
Kuwait (NCOBC) was established by the
Council of Ministers’ Decree # 1145, dated
August 16th,2010.

5. The need for Building Codes
High Energy
Challenges of Consumption Resources
Climate Rate Exhaustion
Change
Demand for Unified
Sustainable
Construction Codes

6. Structure of NCOBC
NCOBC
Technical Strategic
Team Team
Green Accessibility
Concrete Energy Fire Code
Buildings & Special
Code Team Code Team Team
Team Needs

7. GB Technical Team

8. Goals
• 1. the ultimate goal- to work towards sustainable
built environment which is aligned with the
internationally accepted sustainability values
• 2. to create codes, standards and practices as
integral and coordinated part of the building &
construction process
• 3. to coordinate with other teams and to contribute
to integrated construction building construction
system of codes, standards and practices

9. Challenges of Green Approach
1. Lack of Economical Driving Force
2. Social Factors (awareness & knowledge)
3. Shortage in Local experience, specialists and
expertise
4. Privation of adopting governmental authority
5. Reliance and/or Conflict with other building
regulations
6. Lack of incentives
7. Poor Green Market

10. Our Start
• Objectives & road map to Achieve the Goals
• Roles and responsibilities within the team
• Work program and needed Stages
• Necessary studies: references, systems, existing practices
• Terms and Terminology

11. GBT Team - Work Stages
• To reach the assigned goals and objectives in
the best way, the GBT team agreed to work in
the following stages :
1- Studies & Application of GB Systems
2- Elaborating Green Building Standards
3- Elaborating Codes and Regulations
4- Monitor and follow-up with the
developments of Authorities Implementing
the issued standards & codes.

12. Stage I : Studies & Application
of GB Systems
• Stage Kickoff : Nov,2010
• Stage Report issued : Feb, 2012
• Report Title : Report #1 :
Fundamentals for Establishment of Sustainable Design
Standards and Code in the Construction Field of
Kuwait
• Pending : Finalizing Assessment on the case study
project.

13. Vision of GBT on Report #1
• First “Green Building” Official Governmental
Document
• Coming to a semi “Green-Building”-virgin
Construction Field
• Fully Understanding of the Challenges
• Producing a general framework Document on
the sustainability of design and construction
works and the assessment of integrated
building performance

14. Criticality of First Report
1. Decision Making
2. Construction Field Practices
3. Local & Regional Experience
4. Selection of Recommended Rating System
5. Setting Benchmark

15. Tackled Issues Related to
1. Decision Making
Decision Making
National
Conditions :
Priority of
Mtrological,
Environment Sustainable
Green industry,
al Impacts of Construction
Transformation Biodiversity,
Buildings and Urban
Climate
Design
Change,
Ecosystems

16. Scope extended to cover GCC
• Environmental Condition
• Construction Market and practices
• Marine and coastal Resources
• Biodiversity and Protected areas
• Policies and Initiatives
• Legislative Initiatives
• Institutional Developments
• Civil Society

17. STATUS OF ACCESSION TO THE MAJOR MULTILATERAL
AGREEMENTS DEALING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
IN GCC COUNTRIES
Kyoto
Cb
Carta Unfcc Ozon Herit Unclo
Country Cites proto Ccd Pops Cms Basel
d gena c e age s
col
Bahrain . R . R A A A S . R R R
199 1994 2006 1990 1997 2002 1992 1991 1985
6
Kuwait R R . A A A R S . R R R
2002 200 1994 2005 1992 1997 2001 1993 2002 1986
2
Oman . R A R A A A R . A A R
199 2003 1995 2005 1999 1996 2005 1995 1981 1989
5
Qatar A R A A A A A A . A A R
2001 199 2007 1996 2005 1996 1999 2004 1995 1984 2002
6
KSA A A . A A A A S A R A R
1996 200 1994 2005 1993 1997 2002 1991 1990 1978 1996
1
UAE A R . A A A A R . R A S
1990 200 1995 2005 1989 1998 2002 1992 2001 1993
0
R – Ratified, A – Acceded, S – Signed ((Source: The Middle East Institute, 2008)

18. Environmental Footprint Comparison

19. 2008 GCC Key Data

20. Conclusion
• Despite all steps forward, greening buildings
and sustainable transformation will require :
Setting of clear and
Comprehensive
Long term realistic targets
range of expanded
strategies (energy and water
policies
performance)
Cross-sectoral Balance between economic incentives,
policies to fight effective legislations, regulations and
climate change standards

21. Tackled Issues Related to
2. Construction Field Practices
Aspects to consider for sustainability of buildings &
construction
Green design approaches, whole building design
Introduced Steps toward GB standards
Cultural and historical specifities in architecture
Construction industry to date in Kuwait and in GCC

22. Tackled Issues Related to
3. Local and Regional Experience
• Major Green and Eco-friendly projects in
Kuwait and across the GCC
• Regional GB standards, codes and regulations
• Regional Green Building Assessment systems
• Analysis , comparisons

23. Projects Analyzed
Arab Organizations Building in Kuwait
Bahrain World Tradein KSA
King Abdulla University Center
Masdar City in UAE
Eco-Friendly Stadiums in Qatar
Oman 1st Green Building by 2013

24. 4. Selection of Recommended
Rating System
• The link between Assessment System and GB
standards & Codes
• Review of International and Regional Rating
Systems
• Define Criteria for selection

25. Review Phase
• GB Team reviewed the following systems :
LEED
BREEAM
Green Star
Estidama
QSAS

26. Scope of Review
• Background
• References & Standards
• Methodology (Assessment Procedure)
• Categories/ Classifications
• Criteria
• Rating
• Local Compatibility

29. Unique Scheme Coverage
Scheme QSAS Estidama Comments
QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Mosques that focuses on
++ - providing healthy and sustainable mosques and range from a measurement of
Mosques energy consumption to the thermal comfort provided to prayer halls. Estidama
does not have an assessment system for Mosques.
QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Hotels developed to assess
++ - and rate the design of hotels ranging in varying scales from boutique hotels to
Hotels large scale resorts. Estidama does not have an assessment system for Hotels.
QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Light Industry created to
++ - assess and rate the design of new light industrial buildings that use labor
Light Industry intensive operations primarily to produce consumer goods. Estidama does not
have an assessment system for Light Industry.
QSAS has a comprehensive assessment system for Sports developed to assess
++ - and rate the sustainability performance for spectator sports facilities. Qatar
Sports 2022 has adopted the system for its venues for the tournament. Estidama does
not have an assessment system for Sports.
QSAS have a comprehensive system dedicated to parks with multiple scales.
Parks Estidama does not have an assessment system for Parks.
++ -
Under QSAS will have a comprehensive system dedicated to health care facilities with
Health Care Development multiple scales. Estidama does not have an assessment system for health care.
-
QSAS developed this unique scheme for the Rail projects, fully understanding
Rail the specific challenges and considerations of them
++ -

30. Findings
• All systems address common major goals and
concerns, addressed in common categories :
Site Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, Water
Efficiency, Occupants Health, Materials Use
• However, Systems differ in : background,
methodologies, standards, rating method,
specific criteria and special considerations

31. Recommendations
• Team members recommended the Primary
System QSAS and the Reference System
BREEAM-Gulf.
• This was supported by the recommendation of
The First Forum of the GCC Unified Building
Code, 11-13 October,2010
• As well as the Saudi Forum of Green Buildings,
16-18 October, 2010.

32. 5. Setting Benchmark
• Pilot Project : Case Study – Application of
QSAS on a local governmental project :
EPWD Building :
Main goals & objectives
Briefly about the project
The building special green building tools
The QSAS method for GB assessment
Expected results and conclusions

34. Project Data
• BUILT UP AREA : 33,000 m2
• PLOT AREA : 4670 m2
• VALUE : 13,000,000 K.D.
• TYPE : OFFICE BUILDING
• Number of floors : 3 basements + Ground + 9 Floors
• Total parking : 220 cars
• Total Users : 275 employees + Visitors

35. Project’s Main GB Design Features
• Use of Renewable Energy (4 different solar applications)
• Minimum Energy consumption : HVAC energy efficient
system, increased thermal insulation, minimized heat
transmission and radiation by reduced “U” and shading values
of glass
• Minimum Water consumption : collecting gutter drains ,
local water treatment plant, double piping for treated water
reuse
• Fully automated building
• Smart Architecture / Smart Design
• Responsible Materials selection

36. Expected Impact on
Local Environment
• Energy saving
• Reduce CO2 emission
• Use of recycled materials
• Reduce the amount of construction waste materials
• Efficient use of resources
• Reduce impacts on
– Environment
– Human health
• Improve quality of life

37. Expected Impact on
Construction Industry
• Proper Use of Land and Sites
• Reduce the life cycle cost of buildings
• Efficient use of energy inside buildings
• Proper use of building materials
• Reduce the deterioration rate of building
• Better Quality of Life for Building occupants

38. Finally…
Bringing Green Economy to the Forefront of
Action is considered as a methodology of
economics that supports the harmonious
interaction between humans and nature and
attempts to meet the needs of both
simultaneously…