According to Zawya Projects, the Qatar-based Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), a subsidiary of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, has signed an agreement with the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO) to integrate its newly developed Sustainable Construction Code into the broader Gulf Building Code.
Endorsed by the Ministries of Municipalities and Urban Planning across Gulf states, the Gulf Building Code serves as a unified framework guiding construction and building practices in the region.
The 115-page Sustainable Construction Code builds on the success of GORD’s Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), incorporating both prescriptive and performance-based assessments to ensure flexibility. While rooted in GSAS principles, the Sustainable Construction Code streamlines requirements, reducing 55 criteria to 22 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sustainable building practices.
The Code is structured around six core areas, covering:
- Site Planning and Use
- Material Selection
- Energy Conservation and Efficiency
- Water Conservation and Efficiency
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Heritage and Cultural Identity
This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing sustainability in Gulf-region construction, aligning with global best practices while preserving regional identity.
