Doha
Qatar is on track to ensure the overwhelming majority of the projects to be used in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will achieve world-class standards of sustainability.
“As many as 80% of the construction project activities until 2022 will be based on the principles and practice of sustainability,” said Dr Yousef al-Horr, founder and chairman, Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord).
Dr al-Horr is a keynote speaker on day one of the MEED Qatar Projects conference organised in association with Ashghal (Public Works Authority), which opens at the Grand Hyatt Doha on March 10.
“My presentation will help business understand what the opportunities are in this area and what is needed including materials and systems to support our sustainability plans,” he explained.
Qatar is already demonstrating how it can successfully develop sustainable large-scale sports venues, Dr al-Horr pointed out.
The 2015 World Men's Handball Championship held in Doha recently was hosted at two of the new venues built to meet demanding sustainability standards. The Lusail Sports Arena and Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena achieved 4-star rating.
“We have been talking about sustainability and our vision. These dreams are now being put into action in Qatar where we are really implementing sustainability practices. This includes in QRail, all the World Cup 2022 projects, the new cities and all new government projects including schools and hospitals,” Dr al-Horr stated.
Gord, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Co, is preparing to undertake sustainability projects in Saudi Arabia, he said.
“We have started training on the ground in Saudi Arabia and we are doing capacity building with the aim of moving to implementation this year,” he added.
Gord has an agreement to promote sustainability in government and private buildings in Kuwait and has started talks about carrying out similar projects in Bahrain, the official added.
Gord, founded in 2009, promotes healthy, energy and resource efficient, and environmentally responsible building practices in Qatar and the Gulf. Gord has developed the GSAS sustainable buildings rating system, the first to address the challenges presented by the region’s climate.
