Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group Quarterly Meeting

Estidama Program: Moving Abu Dhabi Toward a Sustainable Future

John Madden, Senior Planning Manager Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council

A mandated policy to create a new sustainable framework for Abu Dhabi Plan 2030

Provide direction through four clear pillars: environmental, economic, social and cultural

Promotes a new sense of responsibility by going beyond other sustainable initiatives

Estidama is the symbol of an inspired vision for governance and community development

Estidama Initiative

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Philosophy of Estidama

• Launched in 2008, Estidama is not a program, a rating method or something people do, it is a vision and a desire to achieve a new sustainable way of life in the Arab world.

• Sustainability is part of the values and ideals of the UAE. The legacy of sustainable living is the guiding force behind Estidama. From it, Estidama derives a new mindset for building a forward thinking global capital.

• It acknowledges that the unique cultural, climatic and economic development needs of the region require a localized definition of sustainability.

The Need for Estidama

• Estidama aims to revive the ecological and cultural sensitivity (traditions) of the people to their environment.

• Estidama arose from the need to properly plan, design, construct and operate sustainable developments with respect to the local traditions and climate.

• In order to achieve the goal of Estidama, developers, design teams and even residents need to rethink the design and planning process, the harsh climatic nature of the region.

• This touches all aspects of life in Abu Dhabi - the way we build, the way we resource, the way we live our daily lives, the choices we make as employers - all in an effort to attain a sustainable state of living.

• Ultimately, the success of Estidama will depend on everyone in the Emirate to create a better future for all

Responsive Sustainable Urbanism

• Projects that achieve Estidama adhere to these characteristics: • Utilise a systems-based approach to look at communities,

developments and buildings holistically, rather than in isolation from one another.

• Commit to sustainability targets that must be achieved, along with those that are desirable – all within economically responsible long term parameters.

• Use of the Estidama Integrative Design Process (EIDP) to promote cooperation and collaboration between all stakeholders to attain synergy in the process of planning, design and construction.

Promotion of Sustainable

Developments

Higher Efficiency in The

Built EnvironmentEfficient U

se of Existing

Natural Resources

Vision forEnvironmental Improvement

CA

RB

ON

R

ED

UC

TIO

NProtectio

n and Stewardship of

Existing Habita

t and Bio-

Diversity

Pearl Rating System (PRS)

Pearl Rating Syste

m

Community

New & Existing

BuildingsVillas

Pearls Rating System

Integrated Development Process

Natural Systems

Livable Communiti

es

WaterEnergyMaterials

Innovative Practice

2 Pearl = 60

Optional Credits

3 Pearl = 90

Optional Credits

4 Pearl = 120

Optional Credits

5 Pearl = 150

Optional Credits

Rating Systems Components

1 Pearl = 21

Required Credits

Water

Comparison to construction practices today

Multi Use Residential Tower = -21%

Commercial Office Tower = -40%

Community Neighborhood = -16%

ApproximateReductions

1 Pearl

What is a Pearl Rating?

2 Pearl = 60

Optional Credits

• Multi-Design options• Rating system has many credits from which to chose • Over 70 pathways = 2 Pearl

1 Pearl = 21

Required Credits

• Seven component sections• Multi-Design options

Building Sector Example

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16

36

45

45

28 2

182

Inte

grat

ed D

evelo

pmen

t Pro

cess

Natur

al Sys

tem

s

Livab

le Buil

dings

Wat

er

Energ

y

Mat

erial

s

Inno

vatin

g Pra

ctice

(Sec

tor)

Possib

le

Tota

l

60 Credits = 2 Pearl

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Pearl Rating Systems 1 Pearl Villa

Tools for Design and Assessment

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Energy

Comparison to construction practices today

Multi Use Residential Tower = -24%

Commercial Office Tower = -32%

Community Neighborhood = -24%

ApproximateReductions

1 Pearl

Waste

Construction Phase Waste Reductions

Building = -30% (weight or volume)

Community = -50% (weight or volume)

ApproximateReductions

1 Pearl

• Achieve energy and water savings

• Increase return on investments

• Create healthier places to live, work, study and play

• Improve productivity, retail sales and student performance

• Attain greater tenant retention

• Enhanced reputation and marketability

• Receive recognition from the leadership of Abu Dhabi

Estidama Benefits:

Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre

• Project Type:Sustainable Building

• Location:Al Ain

• Building Size (GFA):7600 m2

• Proposed Program:Interpretative, educational and learning facilities

Project Snapshot

The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre project will involve the redevelopment of the 40-year old Al Ain Zoo to include a wildlife themed safari, destination resort, retail and residential communities.

The building is an accessible sculpture that affords multiple spatial experiences.

The idea of geographic strata has been expressed through the building’s system of ramps and multiple levels. Nestled into the land and plantings, the building further emulates the natural world.

Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning CentreProject Snapshot

Desert Learning Centre – Designed savings

By using an integrative design process, the Design Team helped to shape a seamless site and building solution.

The tangible benefits of this approach include:• Targeting 50% reduction in annual energy consumption compared to

ASHRAE reference building.• Anticipating 15% of energy balance to be provided by renewable

sources.• High performance envelope, reducing peak external heat gain by 70%

compared to ASHRAE reference.• Water use reduction by over 75% from a comparable building.• Construction waste diversion from landfill expected to exceed 50%.• Creating a building that by its very design will tell a compelling story of

Estidama, without requiring extensive exhibits or narrative.

Executive Council Mandate

• All New Communities to be 1 Pearl

• All New Buildings and Villas to be 1 Pearl• All Government led Buildings etc. 2 Pearl

Estidama Mandate

Implementation Process

Community Rating: All new community developments with a permanent residential population over 1000Applicable from June 2010

Building Rating: All new buildingsApplicable from September 2010

Villa Rating: All new private and governmentApplicable from September 2010

Estidama - Timeline

Design

Stage

Construction Stage

Operational Stage

Planning ApprovalAchieved

DesignRating

Achieved

ConstructionRating

Achieved

OperationalRating

Achieved

Planning for Estidama

The Pearl Rating System (PRS)

Development Review

Estidama - Stages

Master Developments

UPC PCRS

Approval

UPC Development Review (Planning for Estidama)

Design Rating

UPC PBRS or PVRS

Approval 2 Pearl +

Design Rating

Municipality PBRS or

PVRS Approval 1 Pearl

Design Rating

Government Buildings

or Voluntary PathwayCommunities

1 Pearl Mandate

New Buildings and Villas

Building Permit NOC

PRS & Building Permit

Estidama – Integrated Approval Process

Information & Training

Estidama Training Programme:

Target Audience

Government Professionals

Municipalities, Utility providers

Industry Professionals

Architects, Developers,

Engineers, Planners ….

Public

Villa Owners

Students

Business Groups…

Developers

Utilities

ADTA

EAD UPC

The Estidama

Team

Municipalites

Understanding and Awareness Course:This course provides an overview of Estidama and the Pearl Rating Systems requirements and process, as well as the context and benefits of sustainable development in Abu Dhabi

Applying the Pearl Building Rating System:This 1.5-day course will provide development and consulting industry professionals with the ability to understand and apply the Pearl Building Rating System to new building projects.

Applying the Pearl Community Rating System:This 1.5-day course will provide development and consulting industry professionals with the ability to understand and apply the Pearl Community Rating System to new projects.

Applying the Pearl Villa Rating System:This 1-day course will provide development and consulting industry professionals with the ability to understand and apply the Pearl Villa Rating System to new villa projects

Estidama Training Programme:

Private Sector

Government

Pearl Assessor

Line of

Communication

Pearl Qualified

Professional

Engineer

Contractor

Owner

Architect

Registration online:

http://www.prometric.com/UPC/default.htm

Estidama PQP Examination

Our website provides detailed information on the Pearl Rating Systems. http://www.estidama.org/

Estidama Information