Dubosc Associates and BARWA & Qatari Diar Research Institute signed an MOU
BARWA & Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI) and Dubosc Associates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration to create a sustainable built environment and encourage the adoption and application of green building practices addressing the specific needs of Qatar.
The MOU was signed by Eng. Eric Dubosc, Founder and Chairman of Dubosc Associates, and Dr. Yousef Mohamed Al-Horr, Chairman & MD of BQDRI.
The main objective behind this MOU is to demonstrate BQDRI's commitment for sustainability development starting from Qatar to the region, and for Dubosc Associates to participate in supporting international initiatives towards a sustainable build environment. These objectives include:
- -Cooperation in motivating the application of Qatar Sustainable Assessment System (QSAS) to for a better living environment that maintain the balance between economic, environmental and national identity of Qatar.
- -Contribute to research and development of advanced built-environment studies of common concern to support the implementation and application of sustainability in Qatar. Moreover, to demonstrate the economical, technical and cultural relevance of QSAS through concrete realizations.
- -Establish platform for research cooperation and develop educational programs and tools in areas related to sustainable built-environment with reputable educational institutions.
The initiative BQDRI, in partnership with Dubosc Associates, came in response to Qatar Vision 2030, in terms of sustainable development, and to preserve the natural resources and the environment while supporting the economical boom of Qatar witnessed today.
Commenting at the signing Ceremony, Eng. Eric Dubosc said:" our MOU with BQDRI will allow Dubosc Associates to venture into the GCC market and take the lead amongst other associations in addressing strategic issues related to Qatar's energy and water efficiency policies, reduction of carbon emissions, minimization of ecological impacts, and insurance of high indoor environmental quality".
Eng. Dubosc continued “Our believe and commitment in the deployment of environmental practices is very much supported by QSAS as it was developed based on local needs while leveraging best practices which is a definite advantage, especially for regions where environmental, economic, social, and cultural conditions are unlike other areas in the world".
Eng. Dubosc Concluded: “we will be grateful to join hands with BQDRI and participate in achieving the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030. By partnering with BQDRI and working with QSAS, Dubosc Associates will serve as a premier example for European organizations penetrating the Qatari real estate sector”.
On behalf of BQDRI, Chairman Dr. Al-Horr said:" I would like to congratulate ourself for partnering with Dubosc Associates. Both, BQDRI and Dubosc Associates, share a commitment to resolve the environmental issues through facilitating advanced and integrated sustainability practices".
Dr. Al-Horr commenced saying: “QSAS offers a lot of advantages which are not available in any other imported system as it responds to urgent issues such as preserving our architectural identity. This system differs in being the 1st performance based rating system in the Middle East. In other words, all its categories, criteria, and measurements are defined to be quantifiable. It has a flexible scoring method which has overcome the limitations of other international rating systems".
Attending the signing ceremony, Mr Fouad Hamdan, General Manager of Domopan Qatar and Partners of Dubosc Associates Qatar Branch, said:" we are thankful to be part of this MOU as it represents a milestone for Domopan where conglomerate players, like BQDRI and Dubosc Associates, join hands for building a better environment for life".
He concluded saying:" our commitment to environmental practices and to Qatar Vision came to realization through participating in this partnership. Our dedication to GREEN building practices will be definitely supported by the development of QSAS. We can now strengthen our motto 'we design it, we build it then it sustains itself' through Dubosc Associates and our Qatari partners, BQDRI".
BQDRI started deploying the QSAS methodology in all BARWA & Qatari Diar's projects. The Research Institute honoured BARWA's “BARWA City Project" the accreditation as “QSAS – RATED GREEN PROJECT" after sufficiently satisfying QSAS standards, testing criteria & other requirements.
Having BARWA City's 128 buildings accredited as “QSAS – RATED GREEN PROJECT" gave BARWA Real Estate the advantage to become among the first few QSAS rated buildings that are notified as being GREEN.
Lusail City, on the other hand, adopted QSAS and conditioned securing a project submission to Lusail Municipality only for those who are QSAS certified.
BQDRI first introduced QSAS as the “Middle East’s first performance-based Green Building Design Rating System” at the Global City Sustainable Urban Development Forum in Abu Dhabi in April 2009. BQDRI confirms its commitment in continuing this march and supporting Qatar’s role as “the capital of sustainable development in the Middle East”, allowing Qatar to take the lead in addressing regional and national energy efficiency policies, reducing carbon emissions, minimizing ecological impacts, and ensuring high indoor environmental quality.
BQDRI, since inception, has been organizing T&D workshops assuring its committee to the ability to lead sustainability in the Qatari real estate market. It will host its next professional workshop beginning Sunday 25th of April, for three days, in collaboration with experts and researchers from the T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
The QSAS three days professional workshop, conducted at BARWA Knowledge building from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., will support industry professionals and engineers, working in the real estate sector, by empowering them with the necessary tools and means of sustainability development required for all BARWA & Qatari Diar future projects. It offers candidates the:
- training to become QSAS – CERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONAL™ and secure project submission to Lusail Municipality and BARWA Real Estate,
- latest knowledge and understanding of QSAS green building practices and principles, and how to apply them in Qatar,
- guidance to QSAS procedures, tools, applications and assessment requirements,
- necessary educational materials to support them during their practice.
QSAS won the Award of Excellence for outstanding contribution to sustainable development at the IREF Summit 2009, London – UK. The event was attended by leaders of real estate industry and financial services, as well as political and business figures. QSAS award was received by Dr. Al-Horr from Mrs. Liz Peace, CEO of British Property Federation.
The BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI) is a proud member of the United Nations Environment Program Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative (SBCI). The SBCI provides leadership and encourages partnership amongst all buildings and construction stakeholders to address sustainability issues of global significance, especially climate change, energy efficiency and CO2 emissions.