Estidama!!

Estidama The one word which is echoing now a days in UAE especially in Abu
Dhabi whenever one speaks of a building construction. What is Estidama? Many of us
may already be familiar with the term and might have even started working for
Estidama framework. But still found a few in dilemmas regarding this wonderful
concept. Hence this write up is just to through some light into 'Estidama'.

Construction industry has a major impact on the Mother Nature, both in terms of non
renewable resources it consumes and also the waste it generates resulting in pollution.
It is in this context where sustainability becomes a prime factor in Building Industry.
Globally many institutions have developed benchmarks for design, construction and
operation of buildings which ensures sustainability at a minimum level; for example
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification. Estidama is
one such initiative developed by Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) to
achieve the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's dream of creating a more
sustainable future for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Estidama is the Arabic word for
sustainability. This sustainability programme is tuned to match the social, economical,
environmental and cultural needs and features of the capital of UAE. More than just a
sustainability program, Estidama is a flag of a much inspired vision for governance
and community development and is an integral part of Abu Dhabi Plan 2030, Urban
Structure Frame Plan to optimize the city's development.

Like any other sustainability program, Estidama has also got a rating system named as
Pearl Rating System (PRS). PRS is a framework for sustainable design, construction
and operation across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia region. It will
be interesting for the construction professionals to know that there are three different
PRS for design, construction and operation stages of a building which are independent
of each in terms of implementation, assessment and rating. And also there exists
different rating system for buildings, communities and villas termed as Pearl Building
Rating System, Pearl Community Rating System and Pearl Villa Rating System.

Abu Dhabi Government has made it mandatory that all new buildings, villas and
communities should achieve the minimum 1 Pearl Rating. Government owned and
operated buildings are required to achieve at least a 2 Pearl Rating. In this context
would like to make it clear that - if a building could achieve all the basic minimum
requirement of PRS, the building is 1 Pearl Rated. Depending on the additional
optional scores which a building could fetch based on the PRS, the building can be
rated 2, 3, 4 and up to a maximum of 5. It would be relevant to highlight that Sheikh
Zayed Desert Learning Centre is the first government sustainable development to
attain the highest possible rating of 5 for sustainability.

Estidama rating of a building is put forward by UPC and hence even before the
detailed design starts the project needs to be registered with Estidama, UPC. All the
related documentation and correspondence need to be done by a Pearl Qualified
Professional (PQP) who is an integral part of a project's team. UPC through
recognized testing center is conducting PQP Exam which is a mechanism to receive
the PQP credentials as required within PRS process of all buildings and communities.

In short a PQP (part of project's team) will facilitate the rating process with UPC
through a Pearl Assessor, an Estidama representative. All the document submission
should be in the template proposed by UPC which is readily available in UPC
website. Integrated Development Process, Natural Systems, Livable Buildings,
Precious water, Resourceful Energy, Stewarding Materials, Innovating Practice are
the credits which need to be considered for the PRS, details of each one of these can
be found in the respective manuals published by Estidama wing of UPC.

Effort of Abu Dhabi Government for such an initiative need to be highly appreciated
and we citizens of India should play a leading role in bringing forth energy efficient
green buildings in the picturesque of fast growing construction Industry in India. Why
can't Government think of making it a mandatory requirement to protect our nature
along with promoting urbanization and development of country?