New buildings in Dubai will now be rated based on the implementation of green building standards and buildings that do not meet requirements to achieve the minimum bronze rating will not be given permits, the Dubai Municipality announced today

The Director General of Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah, announced the launch of the green building rating system called ?Al Safat,? at a press conference. Safat in Arabic means date palm fronds and refers to the traditional Arabic system of using palm fronds as roofing to keep the interior cool. It was a symbol of construction and also represents the local environment because all parts of the palm tree were utilised for various purposes.

Lootah said the initiative is designed to achieve high performance of buildings to promote human and environmental health by strengthening the planning, design, implementation, and operation phases of buildings. The concept aims to achieve a smart, sustainable city status for Dubai by 2021.

The rating is split into four classifications: platinum, gold, silver and bronze (in the descending order) and every building must adhere to the minimum bronze category requirements. Higher ratings are optional. This will be applicable to all upcoming buildings and to those built since the mandatory implementation of green building code in Dubai in 2014.

Courtesy: Gulf News