Doha - Thursday, April 28th 2011 [ME NewsWire]
Representatives of the new Gulf Organisation for Research & Development lined their vision to establish Qatar as the Gulf’s ‘Capital of Green’ at a press conference hosted at the organisation’s new Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) headquarters.
Gulf Organisation for Research & Development is the new name of the Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute, which was Established in 2009 and developed Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS). This change in the name and identity came to meet the positive developments that Qatar is witnessing in applying and adopting QSAS locally and abroad.
Gulf Organisation for Research & Development Founder and Chairman Dr. Youssef Al-Horr told the pressconference: “Today’s launch of the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development as an non-profit independent organization brings us closer toachieving our vision of seeing QSAS become the regional standard for sustainable development rating systems.”
Recently, the real estate sector has witnessed the launch of numerous projects from buildings to large urban developments. Adopting QSAS’s stringent standards provides potential residents of these projects with high-quality and unsacraficed lifestyles, but built with methods that promote sustainable usage of natural resources.
There are now scores of buildings being built to QSAS Standards, most of which were initiated right after the first Green Building Solutions conference held in March of this year. Alwakra and Alkhor cities have both decided to revise their urban planning scheme to include QSAS Standards. Upgrading the plans will provide benefits for both investors and tenants for future developments, and will be similar to other sustainable cities built in other parts of the world.
In line with the vision of His Highness the Emir and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent ofthe State of Qatar to make the country a regional role model on sustainable development and climate change issues, the GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT strives to enhance thecountry’s environmental credentials whilst remaining committed to Qatar’s long-termeconomic and social growth.
“The GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT aims to ensure a healthy, rich and diverse environment for present and future generations in support of the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030,’ promises Dr. Al-Horr.
“Our vision is for Qatar to be the leader in sustainable development, design and construction. The GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT will be one of the driving forces behind this transformation, achieving recognition by the construction industry and real estate sector as an invaluable contributor to the delivery of sustainable development.”
Al-Horr also stated that the coming period, especially after adopting the new Qatar Green building code which coincides with QSAS, will witness the need for an independent entity which asset the governmental and non-governmental projects in a transparent method away from any outside effects.
Considered “the best of the best” sustainable rating system in the world, before QSAS was deprived from over 40 national and international rating methods
QSAS focuses on the region’s social, economic, environmental and cultural conditions which are different from other parts of the world where issues such as power consumption, scarcity of water and cultural identity are neglected. QSAS then was highly welcomed from various corporations working in this field which helped in adopting it quickly locally.in addition, the huge success of the first conference and exhibition held last month and attended by hundreds of professionals from Qatar and the world to participate in the workshops and seminars, as well as thousands of visitors who visited the exhibition, gave a clear indication that the Qatari market is so promising in this field and has all capabilities to develop rapidly.
“through adopting QSAS, Qatar will form an economical scene built on the sustainable development requirements such as recycling, energy, and friendly environment materials”.
Training and qualification
On the training and qualifying level, GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT will provide great opportunities for training professionals in the field of development, building and designing according to QSAS standards. Hundreds of professionals in the building field were qualified so far as QSAS accredited, and GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT is working on building Qatar resources of engineers and architects who appreciate the importance of the cultural heritage for the benefit of the present and future generations.
Education and studies
Enhancing its reputation as the Gulf’s pre-eminent sustainable development research and education institution, the GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT is working with a growing number of partners who are eager to adopt QSAS sustainable developmentstandards. Major universities including Kind Fahd University forOil and Minerals, University of Pennsylvania (USA) and University of Khartoum have introduced QSAS into theircurriculum for student engineers and architects. In addition, Qatari Diar and BarwaReal Estate Company have implemented QSAS as the environmental standard for all futuredevelopments and the GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT has signed agreements with Kahramaa and Ashghal todevelop sustainable buildings that provide a better environment for citizens and residents.
Research applicable projects
GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT intends to conduct many applicable research projects aiming to speed the application of QSAS standards and provide practical models where people and investors can follow when they need to adopt QSAS in the building.
First: building a model villa according to the Qatari architecture, where design principles take into consideration the capability of the building to adapt with weather and environmental factors, through mixing the old methods in building houses with modern methods, in relation with friendly environment materials of high isolation efficiency or free of harmful substances. Besides, modern technology will be implemented in economy cooling, water treatment to reuse it in irrigation and washing, as well as adapting best practices in energy efficiency and fostering natural aeration. There are many sides who expressed their readiness to contribute in this work, including consultancy companies, contracting companies, or real estate companies.
Second: cooling using solar energy
The traditional cooling consumes two thirds of the energy consumed in the house, thus it increases the emissions of harmful carbons. The usage of solar energy for cooling purposes is so important. Using solar energy for heating water is widely used in many countries around the world, but using this kind of energy for cooling is innovative and new for research, in a time where cooling is much needed in summer. Thus, GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT researches will focus on developing cooling system which relies on solar energy to cover the biggest part of cooling demands, and this will lead to reduce using the electrical power to the minimum level.
“In Qatar the economic, social, health and environmental benefits of sustainable development are now becoming widely accepted. It is the duty of the GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT to continue educating Qatar’s construction industry and to be at the forefront of finding solutions which are not only environmentally sustainable, but have positive social and economic impacts,” says Dr. Al-Horr.
About the
GULF ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
www.gord.qa
About The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development
Go Green with Gulf Organisation for R&D
The Gulf Organization for Research & Development is a 100% government Qatari organization leading the fight to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated by promoting healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices.
Sponsored by Qatari Diar, the Gulf Organisation for R&D aims to build and strengthen a strong and vibrant local, regional and global consortium and network of respected research institutions, consulting and technology companies, real estate and construction companies, governmental and professional organizations that have genuine interest and commitment to support the strategic objectives of the Organization to address the environmental challenges and empower the construction society to apply sustainable applications and practices.
Our vision is for Qatar to be a leader in the field of sustainable development, design and construction, and for the Gulf Organisation for R&D to be one of the driving forces behind this transformation.
Gulf Organization for R&D will run scientific research through its own research programs and partnerships with local and international organizations, from both academic and applied research perspectives, to share knowledge and build networks to enhance the sustainable built environment in Qatar. The research programs, including but not limited to, energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, materials, water, waste recycling etc., in addition to developing information databases from new and existing building stock including pilot research projects and feasibility studies and translate it into commercial reality for the best of future local economy and sustainable built environment. Our Objectives
§ Knowledge Creation - Gulf Organisation for R&D engages in research relates to the development of knowledge and processes whose applications range from the building to the urban scale.
§ Research-based Consultancy – Gulf Organisation for R&D offers research based consultancy services on existing buildings and new construction projects as well as testing simulations and system integration.
§ Information Dissemination - Gulf Organisation for R&D provides educational opportunities for professionals through teaching & Research, training & workshops and publications.
§ Business Development – Gulf Organisation for R&D partners with local, regional and international organizations to develop strategic and innovative solutions in the fields of renewable materials & product manufacturing, recycling and transportation www.gord.org.qa.
Contacts
Salah Al Ayoubi - Head of Marketing & Business Development
Tel: +974 4404 9007
Email:
s.alayoubi@bqdri.org
Salah.alayoubi@gord.qa
