Green Building Revolution in the UAE
Green building Revolution in UAE
Eng. Mustafa Khalifa
Environmental Researcher
16 February, 2008
Introduction
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of the seven small emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain, and Fujairah, which were united as a federal state on 2 December 1971.
Before the establishment of the oil economy in the early 1960s, two main forms of traditional Emirati culture: the nomadic desert-oriented Bedouins with small oasis farming within the broader context of the desert economy and culture, and the sea-oriented culture that revolved around pearling and sea trading. These subcultures were economically, politically, and socially interdependent, creating a common culture and social identity.
The UAE shares significant aspects of its culture with neighboring Arab countries and the whole Arab culture.
UAE Urbanization development
Before 1960, the only settlements were small towns and villages. Oil resources have enabled massive modernization. Towns have been transformed from mud-walled communities into commercial capitals integrated in the global economy. Because of the small population and harsh desert interior, 80 percent of the population lives in the coastal capital cities, leading social scientists to describe them as city-states.
Urbanization in UAE has been characterized by incomparable growth. UAE cities have been heavily influenced by the global city type. Dominant urban features include skyscrapers in the commercial city centers, multistory residential buildings, large shopping malls, wide boulevards, an extensive network of highways, and sprawling new suburbs.
Impacts of Urbanization
Such mega-urban development trends have a major consequence on level of energy consumption and its impact on the urban environment. Therefore, UAE building practices should be analyzed and evaluated in term of Sustainability.
Now a day, United Arab Emirates has become among the biggest
Eng. Mustafa Khalifa
Environmental Researcher
16 February, 2008
Introduction
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of the seven small emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain, and Fujairah, which were united as a federal state on 2 December 1971.
Before the establishment of the oil economy in the early 1960s, two main forms of traditional Emirati culture: the nomadic desert-oriented Bedouins with small oasis farming within the broader context of the desert economy and culture, and the sea-oriented culture that revolved around pearling and sea trading. These subcultures were economically, politically, and socially interdependent, creating a common culture and social identity.
The UAE shares significant aspects of its culture with neighboring Arab countries and the whole Arab culture.
UAE Urbanization development
Before 1960, the only settlements were small towns and villages. Oil resources have enabled massive modernization. Towns have been transformed from mud-walled communities into commercial capitals integrated in the global economy. Because of the small population and harsh desert interior, 80 percent of the population lives in the coastal capital cities, leading social scientists to describe them as city-states.
Urbanization in UAE has been characterized by incomparable growth. UAE cities have been heavily influenced by the global city type. Dominant urban features include skyscrapers in the commercial city centers, multistory residential buildings, large shopping malls, wide boulevards, an extensive network of highways, and sprawling new suburbs.
Impacts of Urbanization
Such mega-urban development trends have a major consequence on level of energy consumption and its impact on the urban environment. Therefore, UAE building practices should be analyzed and evaluated in term of Sustainability.
Now a day, United Arab Emirates has become among the biggest