Energy forum 2013 english ym presentation

8th ENERGY FORUM on Solar Building Skins 05-06 November 2013, Bressanone, Italy

Impact of Legislations on Tall Buildings Sustainability in Gulf Cities Dr. Yasser Mahgoub Department of Architecture, College of Engineering Qatar University ymahgoub@qu.edu.qa

Abstract

 Gulf countries are competing to construct tall buildings and skyscrapers.  While these structures are sources of national pride and cultural identity, they pose several challenges to integrate them with the urban fabric of the city.  Building legislations and regulations constitute an important factor in shaping cities and buildings.

Dubai

Kuwait

Abstract

 This paper discusses the rapid development of tall buildings in Doha, Qatar due to the rapid urbanization. With large number of towers constructed in Doha, these buildings affect different aspects of the built and urban environment; city image, traffic and urban spaces.  The paper argues that building legislations play a critical role in the production of the built environment and the social interaction opportunities.

Doha

Abstract

 The impact of legislations on the quality of open urban spaces between tall buildings was investigated in terms of their appropriateness for interaction between people and environment.  It concludes with recommendations of how to develop ecoskyscrapers and the reasons of not having green tall buildings in Qatar and GCC region, what legislations should be specified by the government and recommendations to achieve efficient building design.

Abstract

 The paper proposes that research in the field should address the impact of urban and buildings legislations as an vehicle for the production of sustainable built environments.

History of tall buildings in Doha

 Historically, Up to the mid 1960’s, Doha was a fishing and pearl diving town. The majority of the buildings were individual traditional houses made of mud brick or coral stones. They responded to the surrounding environmental and socio-cultural conditions.

History of tall buildings in Doha

 The construction of tall buildings in the Gulf States became possible due to the increasing wealth generated by economic prosperity.

During the 1970’s, Doha was transformed into a modernized city.

This development has slowed down in the 1980’s and early 1990’s due to economic and political circumstances, during which Qatar depended on the resources and economy of other Gulf countries.

Doha Skyline Development

 Following the discovery of natural gas with economic quantities during the late 1990’s, Qatar initiated a variety of investment projects either for public or private sectors.

Doha Skyline Development Doha skyline 2013

Doha skyline 2010

Doha skyline 2007

Doha skyline, 2004

Doha skyline, 1960

The development of building regulation for tall buildings in Qatar 

Tall buildings were required to acquire building permits approved by the concerned Municipality, Planning Departments and other services authorities including Electricity, Water and Civil Defence.



A completion certificate was also required to ensure fulfilment of all regulations. Building legislations issued during the period of 1970-1990 were as follows: 1) 1975 Law No 3 related to commercial, industrial and public buildings, 2) 1974 Law No 8 related to general cleanliness, 3) 1985 Law No 3 related to controlling buildings, 4) 1989 Law No. 2 related to precautions to be taken for public safety to avoid hazards from building construction, 5) 1989 Law No. 2 related to technical and architectural specifications for buildings, and 6) 1989 Law No. 2 related to the transport of solid and liquid waste.

West Bay Area

 West Bay area is the preferred location for many head offices of companies, governmental ministries and a number of international oil and gas companies. It has a link with Doha International Airport and easily accessible for business travellers within few minutes driving distance from Doha metropolitan area. It hosts several premium hotels that provide excellent amenities for the business community.

West Bay area

Doha Down Town Doha Airport

West Bay Area

 Zone1 of West Bay hosts more than twenty of the most significant towers in Doha. An investigation was conducted using photography and systematic observations relating the towers to building legislations in Doha. The goal was to evaluate the impact of the application of the available laws on the urban environment around the towers and also to suggest possible future legislations to be developed

West Bay Area Study

 The towers were studied focusing on several aspects including: shading devices utilization, connectivity between the towers and the surrounding built environment, function of tower, visible signs, and types of cladding, green open spaces, and parking areas.  Unlike other towers in Doha and Gulf countries, where multi use towers host residential, commercial and offices exist, all towers in Zone 1 are used for business and offices.

West Bay Area Study

 Types of shading devices attached to the exterior envelop of buildings include projected porch entrance, external detached canopy, and external building skin working as a shading device, as in the case of Doha Tower.  It is noticed that some towers use a projected porch to provide shading and define the main entrance of the building; such as Al-Nasir Twin Towers, Barzan Tower, Al-Bida Tower, and AlMirqab and Al-Salam Twin Towers.

West Bay Area Study

 The investigation indicated that visibility of entrance signage, located at the entrance does not allow visitors and users to recognize the entrance location. This aspect is obvious in Doha Tower, Barzan Tower, Al-Salam Tower, Al-Mirqab twin towers, and Al-Naser Twin Towers.

West Bay Area Study

 The urban and landscape connectivity between towers is observed in several towers, such as the Commercial Bank, Al-Jazi Tower, AlBida Tower, Al-Mirqab and Al-Salam Twin Towers, Tornado Tower, Palms Towers, where landscaped green areas allow a degree of interaction as well as connectivity to each other.

West Bay Area Study

 While there is enough capacity of parking areas at the ground level around the towers and the basement according to the parking regulation, traffic congestions is common during rush hours. Several parking structures are being constructed in the area to accommodate the growing need for parking. Also there is a specified parking for the fire engine in two towers which are Tornado and Al-Mirqab and AlSalam twin Towers.

Conclusions

The paper suggests the following key principles to be included in building legislation and regulation in order to achieve sustainability: 1) Improve public circulation around and between buildings to achieve good spatial continuity that usually occurs on the street-level activities and those spaces at the upper-floors, i.e. landscaped ramps, as well as street activities; stalls, shops, cafes, performance spaces and viewing decks (floors) through ramps, 2) Encourage use of extensive solar-shielding of the eastern and western facades, 3) Use of indigenous landscape vegetation and garden terraces to assist ambient cooling of the faรงade, 4) Installation of photovoltaic panels to reduce energy consumption, 5) Water recycling and purification associated with rainwater and grey-water reuse in flushing water closets, watering of sky courts, landscaping and planter boxes, and 6) Use sun-shading devices as an integral part of the cladding system.

Conclusions

 The paper investigated aspects of tall buildings design and impact on the surrounding environment as illustrated in the case of tall buildings in Doha, Qatar. It concluded that many key principles should be addressed during the design of tall buildings. To achieve sustainability and green strategies, these key principles should be an integral part of urban and building codes and legislation. While increasing awareness and rewarding best practices is desirable, the impact of building legislations and codes on practice is far reaching.

Thank You