In 2016, 9.68 million tons of solid waste were generated in Abu Dhabi alone where 67.8% was sent to dumpsites and landfills. In the same year, the construction and demolishing (C&D) industry produced 47% of the non-hazardous waste. This research aims to investigate the C&D waste management in UAE's construction industry, specifically in Abu Dhabi based on (a) official resources identifying authorized entities, regulations, implementation guidelines, and causes behind waste generation in UAE' C&D industry; and (b) unstructured interviews with construction professionals in Abu Dhabi revealing the waste management consideration process, enhancement methods, professionals' responsibilities and views toward the topic. While Abu Dhabi's sustainability framework (Estidama) requires a submittal of C&D Waste Management Plan (CDWMP) prior to any construction activity asking for a minimum of 30% waste diversion from landfills, relevant literature highlighted awareness as an effective factor in C&D management. Interviews for this study have shown that a lack of awareness is still affecting the C&D waste management and control negatively. Interviewees have also contributed in understanding the waste management consideration process, enhancement methods, professionals' responsibilities and views toward the topic highlighting that implementation practices seem to seek Estidama certification but not a sustainable environment.

UAE's sustainable construction industry is expanding with increased interest in promoting green buildings while addressing global environmental concerns. However, it has been established that the effectiveness of implementing building environmental sustainability assessment methods varies significantly with several variables. While, a substantial body of literature has focused on the development of rating systems, less is known about the barriers and challenges of adopting the current assessment methods in the UAE; Pearl Building Rating (PBR) and Al Sa'fat systems. This paper addresses this gap through semi-structured interviews exploring the perspectives of 5 senior project professionals who acquired first-hand experience with the incorporation of sustainable construction practices in UAE. Based on the findings, adoption-enhancing suggestions such as project management software, awareness-raising strategies and government initiatives are recommended. This paper contributes to the growing literature on the adoption of energy assessment tools and specifically increases knowledge on current UAE sustainable development.

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The world is suffering from the worse refugee crises since World War II as Syria alone has 7.6 million. Out of which 85,000 people (December 2015) are living at Al Zaatari camp located in Jordan near to Jerusalem. A need to design and build a sustainable self-sufficient educational center for the school children was felt. A district wise study and site analysis was performed using geographical information and climate analysis computer tool, Climate Consultant 6.0 to figure out important factors like quantity of ground water, rainfall intensity, solar radiation and sun path at the site. Integrating different sustainable active and passive strategies for energy generation developed building plan. The model was simulated using annual whole building energy modeling software (Safeira â„¢), Photovoltaics can produce 50% of the required energy, natural ventilation and geothermal heat pump can reduce the annual energy consumption by 9.28% and 2% respectively, if used in months in which they are more useful whereas the remaining energy can be covered by wind turbines. With skylights, enough daylight was provided (unlit areas were reduced to 10%) and providing natural ventilation as well. It was concluded that a Stand-Alone refugee center for Syrian refugees at Al Zatari camp is possible and could well be constructed if proper support from international community is provided.

The UAE is witnessing increased interest for sustainable development which poses challenges on the development processes for the large amount of built environment projects taking place in this emerging economy. While, great attention has been given to the development of tools and methods to measure and assess the performance of buildings to meet specific environmental sustainability targets, however, less is known about the effect of these assessment methods on the built environment development process itself. This paper addresses this gap through the investigation of the adoption of building environmental sustainability assessment methods for development projects in the UAE. Currently, there are two assessment methods in the UAE; Pearl Building Rating (PBR) and Al Sa’fat systems. Background study revealed that both systems: are developed in parallel to the development of building codes, adopt performance-based approach for assessment methods, and their adoption for development projects is basically mandatory. This paper draws from diffusion of innovations theory and growing literature in the adoption of similar assessment methods in projects, with the objective of proposing a conceptual framework that conceptualizes PBR and Al Sa’fat methods as innovations and the development projects as the social system for adoption, while focusing on the adoption process dynamics rather than the decision to adopt or not. The proposed framework captures specific conceptual themes, providing the foundation for further empirical investigation. As such, this paper contributes to the growing literature on the adoption of global energy assessment tools and specifically addresses the UAE’s sustainable development policy and regulation.