Welcome to the Cityscape Dubai Green Day Conference
Dear Executive,
It is virtually impossible to ignore the global push towards sustainable design and construction in the last few years. There has been a significant regional take up of such initiatives and there are real examples of buildings in this region which have reached the required standard to be called a green building.
However with the economic downturn, are green buildings a thing of the past? – something of a luxury and something too expensive in times of economic uncertainty? Ironically, no. As governments use stimulus packages to spend their way out of recession, money has been ear-marked for sustainable / green projects including the much vaunted retro-fitting of homes.
In this region, “green buildings” is not yet a norm and there are major issues that need to be resolved; namely policy and regulations, cost considerations, different design elements, availability of new materials, designing out waste and effective reduction of energy consumption.
Apart from regulators, the other stakeholders who can effect change are clients, designers, architects, contractors, material providers and product manufacturers.
It is widely recognised that sustainable buildings and communities have a critical role to play in combating climate change; that is why Cityscape – the world’s largest property investment and development event is pleased to announce Green Day – a forum for intellectual debate on the most pressing issue of our time.
Green Day, on Wednesday, 7 October 2009, will be a one-off event which will take the pulse of the green building community via a series of stimulating debates addressing the key challenges we face. Throughout Green Day, panellists will debate the critical challenges and, together with the audience, come up with vital solutions that need to be implemented if we are truly to fulfil the promise of a sustainable future.
The conference is not just about “green buildings” – it will include green communities, green construction methods, energy saving issues, financing green buildings, regulations, facilities management, whole life costs and new materials and products.
Now, more than ever, government ministries, real-estate developers, designers and architects, together with contractors are taking up this challenge and taking steps towards sustainability. Add to this list, associations, institutions, research organisations and NGOs who are all pushing for a more sustainable future.
Green Day @ Cityscape Dubai will be a focused one-day event with extensive networking opportunities and a meeting of minds to share ideas and solutions. Attend Green Day and debate with the champions of change who are at the green frontier, transforming the region, brick by brick.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Regards
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Kevin Hydes
Conference Chairman, Green Day
Former Chairman, World Green Building Council |
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Riad Mannan
Conference Director, Green Day
Cityscape Dubai, IIR |
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