Hypotheses-Based Study for Adapting LEED to a Qatari Green Metric for Tall Buildings

Abstract

The market has identified Qatar, in the Arabian Gulf, as one of the busiest construction areas in the world. In line with this, tall buildings have arisen in Doha city because of economic necessity. Accordingly, government officials have revealed that Qatar will see the rise of about 800 tall buildings by 2016. A hypothesis-based study has been conducted using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – (LEED) as a reference, to measure the green performance of Qatari buildings including the variables: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design. These variables were analysed in accordance to the current needs of Qatar and its future plan. Using the LEED variables comparatively, this paper suggests adaptations to the weight assigned to these variables in the LEED scheme, to meet specific Qatari conditions for tall buildings in Qatar. The findings should encourage decision makers and local authorities who are interested in the subject to refine the knowledge related to the future development of the Qatari green scheme and contribute to the urgent need for research-based green criteria for Qatar by introducing knowledge and principles to be implemented in developing a green metric scheme for the tall buildings in Qatar.