New group set up by Qatar Green Building Council

Qatar is trying to ensure that infrastructure projects in its capital Doha are done in an environmentally friendly manner

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The Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) has inaugurated a group designed to foster the development of green infrastructure as a national resource capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits.

The Green Infrastructure Interest Group (GIIG) will perform a vital role in discussing the wide range of challenges faced in shaping the country’s built environment and moving the emirate towards Qatar National Vision 2030.

“In line with the environment pillar in Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2011-2016, this interest group complements national and regional efforts to utilise our current and future green infrastructure,”
said Dr Alex Amato, Chairman of the Research and Innovation Committee at QGBC.

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“This initiative demonstrates the value of green infrastructure investment and reiterates the benefits and need for sustainable investment in this field.

“This group also wants to encourage the appreciation of Qatar’s natural systems and their role in the landscape architecture profession.”

A seminar, marking the addition of another interest group under the QGBC umbrella, was held under the theme ‘Natural Systems’ at the InterContinental Hotel in Doha recently.

“Encouraging industry collaboration through specialised interest groups in the built environment is both vital and significant,” said Lee Allen, a LEED AP, landscape architect and acting chair for GIIG.

“Through this interest group, we want to create awareness of the benefits of Green Infrastructure and sustainable design and practice in Qatar.

“The importance of natural systems to our lives is highlighted through our ‘Working with nature not against it’ approach to development.

“That is certainly more relevant now than ever before.

“A project’s success in achieving any type of sustainable rating lies in the combined efforts from all sectors of the industry in recognising and striving for sustainable best practice.”

The scope of Green Infrastructure includes - storm water management, carbon sequestration, urban heat island mitigation, improved air quality, wildlife habitat creation, improved health and wellbeing, enhanced community ownership, climate change adaptation, utilisation of renewable energy sources, and sustainable waste water treatment.