Under the Patronage of HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Doha, Qatar, 2 March 2011: The 1st Green Building Solutions (GBS) Conference & Exhibition Doha 2011, Qatar's first major event to focus on sustainable development in the construction industry, is affirming Qatar's position as the Gulf's 'Capital of Green'.
The 3-day event features a tour of Doha green developments, an awards gala dinner, workshops, seminars and a series of important green building announcements from organizer the Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI).
The GBS 2011 Conference at the Intercontinental Hotel (2 & 3 March) has attracted 500 local and international delegates by providing a powerful mix of international and local content for built-environment professionals and stakeholders, including a Master Class workshop to introduce delegates to the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS).
GBS 2011 Conference sessions focus on three of the most critical challenges facing the region's construction industry: Sustainable Urbanization: Global and Local Perspectives - Sustainable Building Typologies: Residential, Educational, Commercial and Hotels and Products and Solutions for Sustainable Construction.
"The climate change data are clear - we are in a global environmental crisis, and building design and operations must be a key part of the response," insisted Keynote Speaker and BQDRI founder and managing director Dr. Youssef Al-Horr. "The key issue at Green Building Solutions 2011 is to inspire and empower people in the building development and operations business to take the next significant steps."
As green features increasingly enter into buyers' decisions about purchasing properties, Green Building Solutions 2011 provides a platform to learn from green building thought leaders as they share strategies for market transformation, policies that accelerate green building practices and tackle global climate change while meeting local priorities.
"Green Building Solutions 2011 is identifying sustainable and practical 'green' solutions which can be applied to all projects and striking the balance between environmentally friendly, functionality and reality," added Dr. Al-Horr.
Meanwhile the Green Building Solutions Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition Center is encouraging property owners, regulators and construction industry and built environment professionals to visit the 3-day exhibition and help shape a better and more sustainable future.
Green Building Solutions 2011 is the first of its kind in Qatar with a carbon neutral footprint - offsetting carbon dioxide emissions created by the event itself. Organizers (BQDRI are eager to pioneer the carbon offsetting initiative and encourage corporations and individuals to follow their example.
Four visionary green building projects and one green contractor are to be honored when H.E. Abdullah Bin Mubarak Bin A'aboud Al-Mahdadi, Minister of Environment presents the 1st QSAS Sustainability Awards during the GBS 2011 Gala Dinner on 3 March.
Organized by the BQDRI in partnership with Qatar Expo Event Management and Grey Doha, GBS 2011 enjoys the support of The Supreme Council for the Environment and Qatar's big two infrastructure and real estate development companies, BARWA and Qatari Diar.
"Green Building Solutions 2011 is Qatar's first major sustainable development event. As well as promoting QSAS to an international audience, GBS 2011 provides the opportunity for delegates to share ideas and contribute to the green building agenda in the lead-up to COP17 in South Africa," added Dr. Al-Horr.
GBS 2011 Conference - Intercontinental Hotel - Wednesday 2 March 11:00 to 15:30 - Thursday 3 March 08:30 to 16:30 - website www.greenbuildingsolutionsdoha.com
GBS 2011 Exhibition - Doha Exhibition Center - Wednesday 2 March 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 21:00 - Thursday 3 March 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 21:00 - Friday 4 March 15:00 to 21:00 - website www.greenbuildingsolutionsdoha.com
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Go Green with BQDRI
The BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI); a joint venture between Barwa Knowledge, Subsidiary of Barwa Real Estate, and Lusail Real Estate Development Company, Subsidiary of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company; is a non-governmental organization whose purpose is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices in Qatar.
BQDRI aims to build and strengthen a strong and vibrant local, regional and global consortium and network of respected research institutions, consulting and technology companies, real estate estate and construction companies, governmental and professional organizations that have genuine interest and commitment to support the strategic objectives of the Institute to address the environmental challenges and empower the construction society to apply sustainable applications and practices.
Our vision is for Qatar to be a leader in the field of sustainable development, design and construction, and for BQDRI is to be one of the driving forces behind this transformation.
Our Objectives
Knowledge Creation - BQDRI will engage in research relates to the development of knowledge and processes whose applications range from the building to the urban scale.
Research-based Consultancy - BQDRI will offer research based consultancy services on existing buildings and new construction projects as well as testing simulations and system integration.
Information Dissemination - BQDRI will provide educational opportunities for professionals through teaching & Research, training & workshops and publications.
Business Development & Administration - BQDRI will strategically partnering with local, regional and international organizations to develop strategic and innovative solutions in the fields of Renewable, Materials & Products Manufacturing, Recycling and Transportation.
For further information please contact:
Krikor Khatchikian
Senior Account Manager
Cohn & Wolfe Public Relations, Doha, Qatar
Telephone: + 974 4428 3177
Email: krikor.khatchikian@cohnwolfeqatar.com
© Press Release 2011
