THE CURRENT METHODOLOGY OF ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS IN EGYPT BETWEEN PROBABILITIES AND OBSTACLES

Abstract

Sustainable architecture is a tool for designing and constructing buildings in order to reduce the negative effects of the building on the environment and to meet the current needs without ignoring the rights of the next generation. The increasing interest of green buildings in Egypt reflects the awareness of governments, local organizations and architects of the importance of incorporating and applying the comprehensive approach of sustainability in the field of architectural design. The adopting of sustainable buildings rating system is one of the goals of sustainable development in Egypt. Although Egypt adopted a local rating system for sustainable buildings which is “Green Pyramids Rating System”, there is no approved buildings by using GPRS however the density of construction activities in Egypt. The literature review shows that, the current sustainable buildings rating system in Egypt cannot be used to conduct a comprehensive assessment during the early stages of architectural design and to reevaluate the building after the construction process. In addition to the administrative obstacles and the negative aspects of GPRS, the research problem includes also the technical challenges and the problems related to people who do the evaluation. This paper investigates the development of sustainable buildings evaluation process in Egypt and the current institutions responsible for evaluating the sustainability of buildings. The main potentials and available chances for developing sustainable architectural design have been clarified. On the other hand, the current challenges which obstacle rating the sustainable buildings in Egypt were clarified. The present paper recommends some suggestions to achieve comprehensive for buildings in terms of environmental, economic and social issues and to encourage the development of materials and construction systems which are environmentally friendly.