Construction heads to gather for 3rd Annual Sustainable Design and Construction Summit

International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC), an internationally leading provider of tailored, industry-driven conferences and its Endorser the Emirates Green Building Council, announced today the dates of the region's largest sustainable building event, the 3rd Annual Cost-Effective Sustainable Design and Construction Summit.

The Middle East's leading sustainable design, engineering and construction summit is to be held in at the Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers, Abu Dhabi 15 to 18 March 2009. For the first time in the region, over 50 international and regional speakers will reveal the latest cost analysis and implementation strategies for sustainable building initiatives.

The 3rd Annual Cost-Effective Sustainable Design and Construction Summit will address Dubai's impending Green Building Regulations enabling a complete understanding of how the regulations will work and the affect it will have on industry. The secrets behind the region's LEED accredited projects will be uncovered, as will analysis of the cost-benefits and availability of green materials and technologies. Throughout the four days over 200 stakeholders in design, engineering and construction will work together to advance the sustainability agenda in the Middle East.

Stephen Oehme, Chairman of the 3rd Annual Cost-Effective Sustainable Design and Construction Summit, and Regional Director, Value Management and Sustainability, Hyder Consulting Middle East, says, "The extreme significance of sustainability has been progressively recognized all around the world. Investigating and actioning sustainability outcomes is no longer only considered desirable in terms of doing the right thing for the planet; sustainability is being seen as a mandatory business requirement, directly adding to the bottom-line and the best insurance in these uncertain financial times."

Oehme elaborated in the context of this being the 3rd year of chairing the event "sustainability is firmly on everyone's agenda. One of the key questions is the cost of sustainability. This event addresses various approaches, local and international case studies locally along with insights and solutions in attaining sustainability cost effectively."

Michael McGill, Event Director, IQPC Middle East, says:

"Dubai's impending Green Building Regulations, the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan, and a noticeable shift towards holistic sustainability from designers and developers reflect the growing importance placed on achieving environmental sustainability. However the future of the green movement depends on achieving a balance between environmental and economic sustainability."

"We are pleased to offer the region a sustainable building event on this scale and with this specific focus" says McGill. "Cost-effectiveness is at the heart of the event, and this overarching theme allows us to provide the region with the tools and techniques to make the business case for sustainability," McGill added.

Case studied projects at the event include; the Dongtan Eco-City: China, South of Shamkha: Abu Dhabi, Heart of Doha Regeneration Project: Qatar, the Masdar Initiative: Abu Dhabi, The Lagoons: Dubai, and many more.

To facilitate the implementation of a holistic sustainability approach in the region, the event features a Master Planning Executive Focus Day, packed with 10 case studies getting to the heart of sustainable community and urban development.

The final day of the 3rd Annual Cost-Effective Sustainable Design and Construction Summit is comprised of four solution finding technical workshops, covering efficiency in sustainability, sustainable community development, Estidama assessments for new residential and commercial buildings, and holistic design.