Wael Aboneama

Protect the Planet through Sustainability Rating Systems with Local Environmental Criteria – LEED in the Middle East

December 1, 2012Dr. Wael Aboneama 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

Abstract: Sustainable design becomes a mandatory as a result of environmental requirements. Furthermore, LEED as a rating system has started to be a tool in many countries in the world. The research objective is to push all architects to protect the environment through their architectural designs by applying the most effective sustainable criteria. The methodology will be focused on evaluating LEED in the Middle East compared with a local rating system. The outcome will be focused on the importance of creating a rating system for each region, which considers local environmental challenges

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/

Developing sustainable urban growth in Egypt towards the location of renewable energy resources

Abstract: Sustainable urban growth nowadays is not an option for big cities all over the world. It is mandatory to protect the environment and our planet for the future of generations to come. We should work through a strategy that will eventually satisfy future cities’ needs for energy. This strategy depends on generating energy from different resources, in ways that go beyond energy generation and utilisation. In addition, the strategy should also aim for environmental conservation and improving local manufacturing of energy equipment. We should study the potential locations in Egypt for generating renewable energy from wind, solar energy, waves, and biomass to ensure sustainable urban growth. Such strate-gies typically involve three major technological changes: to save energy consumption on the demand side, efficiency in the energy production, and replacement of fossil fuels by various renewable resources. This paper discusses the perspective of the renewable energy potential in Egypt and its impact on sustainable urban development for the 2050 Egyptian vision.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/

Creating a Unique Sustainable Rating System for Saudi Arabia to Achieve Environmental Assessment and 2030 Vision

December 1, 2018 Wael Aboneama Articles

Abstract: Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 is a planning for 15 years that announced in 2016 to make Saudi Arabia's economy more powerful and has multi income channels not only oil, and developing public services. The planning focuses for better life enhancement with creating new economic regions inside the country with huge investments with hundreds of billions of US dollars. Sustainability is the process of change, in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations. A unique sustainable rating system for Saudi Arabia environment should be created and applied under the protection of law umbrella to insure applying sustainable principals on all new developments and constructions. This paper focuses on reviewing applied sustainable rating system in Saudi Arabia against the environmental conditions and people culture in this area of the world and redistribute the weights of each item to be more compatible with the environment, and local resources.

https://www.ecsdev.org/

Improving BIM as an Architectural design tool towards sustainability through applying LEED categories on its database

August, 2015 Wael Aboneama International conference and exhibition on Satellite at Houston, USA

Abstract: Architectural design was influenced through the last century by several high-tech design tools. Last decade Building Information Model “BIM” has proved its capabilities as an effective production tool for construction industry. It helps the architect to go through the construction documents accurately and faster for building calculations, coordination between all disciplines, and to carry out the architectural drawings faster with minimum problems. Architectural design tools development is running in two directions: First, one depends on developing a helpful tool for the architect to facilitate producing complicated forms and construction problems; the second one is the implementation of artificial intelligence to solve design problems and to lead towards better building performance. This research is oriented to the second direction. In case of applying LEED categories, which describes sustainability principals into the BIM database, we will ensure that the outcome of this design tool will meet sustainability guidelines. One of the best direction of enhancing BIM as an architectural design and documentation tool is to enlarge the scope and hierarchy of its database to include LEED categories as one of the most important rating system in the world and applied in many regions. It will push architects forward towards sustainable designs and saving environmental resources based on up to date information.

https://www.longdom.org/proceedings/

Applying sustainable principles to create new urban areas and developing existing cities in 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia

November, 2019 Wael Aboneama Resilient and Responsible Architecture and Urbanism (RRAU) - 2nd Edition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: This paper attempts to explore sustainable determinants to create new urban areas and developing existing cities in Saudi Arabia. They are looking to enhance their economic resources and social needs by 2030. They announced their vision for the next fifteen years based on specific dimensions; social, economic and urbanization. Saudi Arabia has plenty of challenges and obstacles that face sustainable development. Meanwhile, it has many potentials to play a leading role during the implementation of the 2030 vision. Most of its land is desert and suffers from a lack of potable water resources. Also, it has severe weather conditions. On the other hand, It has one of the most stable economies in the world which based mainly on petroleum production. It is the second-largest oil producer. It has a big potential for generating renewable energy from solar energy, and wind power. In 2030 vision, Saudi Arabia is looking to create new urban areas to support its economy and develop existing cities. NEOM is the largest project of its 2030 vision with approximately budget of 500 billion US dollars. Sustainability is not an option for its vision. It should be the keyword for any development in this country, as a result of its challenges and potentials. Saudi Arabia should work through a strategy which aims to keep environmental, social and economic needs as the main target for creating new urban areas and developing existing cities.

Click here to explore the paper in Springer website

Applying Sustainability Principles on Architectural Design Concepts in Egypt to Enhance Building Performance

June, 2013 Wael Aboneama Mohammed Badr Building Simulation Cairo - Towards Sustainable & Green Built Environment

Abstract: Sustainability can be defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Fortunately, with the absence of local Egyptian rating system until this moment, the architectural history through thousands of years in Egypt has left practical heritage for building sustainability, which took into consideration indoor environmental quality, the creativity of using local materials plus the innovation in design. Unfortunately, Architecture in Egypt and some other countries in last five decades of the twentieth century missed many environmental solutions. Many buildings have poor performance and affect negatively the environment and our planet. The research objective is to push architects towards sustainability in their modern design concepts. The methodology will be focused on presenting samples of sustainable buildings and designs done by some of the biggest consulting firms in Egypt considering many items of international rating systems such as LEED and BREEAM. The outcome will be focused on the importance of each rating system evaluation items against Egyptian ecology.

http://www.cpas-egypt.com/

LEED Effectiveness for Egyptian Environment and Construction Industry against Green Pyramid as Rating Systems – Case Study: Sustainable Sites

December, 2012 Wael Aboneama AEIC, Al-Azhar Engineering Twelfth International Conferencet, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: LEED as a rating system for the Sustainable Design has started to be applied not just in the US but also has become a target to enhance building performance in many countries in the Middle East and Egypt . However, LEED was created for sustainable Design for a portion of the world which has many challenges that are not implemented in the Middle East region. Starting from this point some countries like Egypt created its unique rating system which is Green Pyramid that reflects the regional environmental challenges which may impose on the Architect several items to be implemented in the Architectural Design to classify his final product as Sustainable Design. The research objective is to measure the effectiveness of applying Sustainable sites criteria in LEED as a rating system for the Egyptian environment and allocate the weakness points which does not have a positive impact on the environment and costly.

Installing various means of sustainable transportation to achieve sustainable urban growth and Cairo vision 2050

September, 2015 Wael Aboneama IQPC, International Quality & Production Center, Intercontinental, Citystars, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: Sustainable urban growth nowadays is not an option for big cities all over the world. It is a mandatory to protect the environment and our planet for grandsons' future. Sustainable transportation is a main pillar for urban growth. It refers to the broad subject of transport that is sustainable in the senses of social, environmental and climate impacts and the ability to, in the global scope, supply the source energy indefinitely. The future of mega cities such as Cairo needs a time-framed planning based on sustainable criteria such as the first edition of Cairo vision 2050. Obviously, it needs enhancement and more detailed plans to be a guide for all governmental decisions and sub-planning projects. Opening new areas for urban growth needs the movement of people, animals, and goods from one location to another. This paper is focusing on the diversity of means of sustainable transportation that should exist in the new transportation plan. The infrastructure plan 2050 should consider the operation of those means to can achieve our vision.

Applying the new sustainable urban development towards the location of the renewable energy resources in Egypt

October, 2015 Wael Aboneama IQPC, International Quality & Production Center, Intercontinental, Citystars, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: We should work through a strategy, which aims to satisfy the development needs of energy. This strategy depends on diversifying energy resources and achieving the most benefit of it besides improving energy production and its utilization. In addition, the strategy should aim also at environmental conservation and improving local manufacturing of energy equipment. We should study the potential locations in Egypt of generating clean energy from (wind, solar, wave, and biomass) in the making of strategies for sustainable development. Such strategies typically involve three major technological changes: energy savings on the demand side, efficiency improvements in energy production, and replacement of fossil fuels by various sources of renewable energy. Consequently, large-scale renewable energy implementation plans must include strategies for integrating renewable sources incoherent energy systems influenced by energy savings and efficiency measures. This paper discusses the perspective of renewable energy potential in Egypt and its impact on sustainable development for Egyptian vision 2050.

Developing Architectural Design towards Sustainability by applying its principles into Design tools

December 1, 2012 Wael Aboneama 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

Abstract: Sustainability is based on protecting green fields and creating sustainable sites. Furthermore, increase the efficiency of water and energy consumption besides using local materials, and implement recycling programs. The research objective is to stimulate all architects to protect the planet through applying sustainability criteria. The methodology focused on applying the sustainability principles into design tools. The outcome is focused on extracting sustainability database from existing rating systems and proofs that computer programs as design tools can review architectural design input data against saved database

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/

Apply sustainable development on the architecture, planning and infra-structure of Abha to be the first eco-city in the Middle East

Abstract: Sustainability improvement in Saudi Arabia and the whole Middle East is focused on only buildings and small projects. However, the history of architecture in the Middle East starting from 7th century to the end of 19th century was the real beginning of sustainable design and development. Abha in Saudi Arabia could be one of the best inceptions as a sustainable city. Its climate puts Abha in the first places to be selected for applying sustainable development. Abha is the biggest city in Asir territory and the capital of tourism in Saudi Arabia. It is located 2,200 meters above the sea level with a prolific soil on the mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia (Hoiberg D. H., 2010). All over the year, the temperature moves from its lowest level around 7 C° to its maximum of 28 C° (Weather spark, n.d.). The average rainfall is 278 mm, which means that it is enough for human use and irrigation. This paper is focusing on studying the actual situation of Abha’s development and apply sustainable criteria on its architecture, planning and infra-structure to move it inside the territory of eco-cities.

https://ecsdev.org/

Enhancing the housing industry in Egypt through the application of new design and construction techniques aimed towards sustainability and actual market demand

Abstract: The housing industry in Egypt is facing a catastrophic situation. Nobody can deny the housing problems in Egypt. More than 80% of Egyptians are living in slums. Around 20% of all Egyptians are living in non-healthy homes. Billions of US dollars are spent every year in building new, high-style compounds in Egypt which leads to a recession of selling these units. The whole world is now focusing on sustainability and has started renovation and replacement programmes for housing. Housing problems in Egypt are not related to low investment in this sector, but to the wrong direction for this housing investment. In other words, the production is focused on only one housing sector, which is only around 10% and the supply is more than the demand, however it costs more and more than all other types of housing. This research will present different types of sustainable construction for all housing types as one of the key solutions, and also to meet market demand and to solve this problem in the right way.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/

Enhancing LEED as a sustainable rating system by applying its Regional priority for all environmental regions

August , 2015 Wael Aboneama International conference and exhibition on Satellite at Houston, USA

Abstract: Sustainable design nowadays is not an option for the construction industry all over the world; it becomes a mandatory because of environmental requirements. Big countries all over the world have started in last decade of the twentieth century to create sustainable rating systems based on their environmental needs. The three pillars of sustainability which is environment, people and economy composite certain categories for each rating system. Those rating systems categories cover the project site, water consumption, Energy efficiency, planet atmosphere, construction regional material, and indoor quality. LEED as a rating system for sustainable design has started to be applied not just in the US but also in many countries in the Middle East and Egypt. LEED as sustainable rating system has a rigid category weights. The impact of this rigidity leads to unpractical situation, which is every part of the world, suffers from certain lack of resources by the same amount, and it is not true. Countries are not the same in everything. For example in the Middle East, they have big area of desert and suffer from lack of potable water resources, but they have plenty of energy resources. Country like Japan lives on the opposite side. It means that each part of the world should have different category weights. That is the reason of creating many rating systems, but regional priority as a category can make the balance for LEED to can modify all weights based on the region.

https://satellite.insightconferences.com/

Achieving energy efficiency performance and urban connectivity development in Saudi Arabia through renewable energy resources and sustainable transportation – Case study Asir province

November , 2019 Wael AboneamaFuture Smart Cities (FSC) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: This paper attempts to explore the reduction of energy consumption by applying only one item of renewable energy devices. Also, it attempts to reveal the benefits of using means of sustainable transportation on Saudi’s social lifestyle for a specific province which is Asir. Saudi Arabia is looking to enhance its economic resources and social needs. They announced their vision based on specific dimensions; social, economic and urbanization. Asir region is located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia. It has many potentials for energy efficiency and water resources. Unfortunately, the most important mean of transportation in Asir and all Saudi Arabia is the private car. The whole country suffers from high energy consumption. It is approximately 1.7 times higher than in Europe per capita. Houses in Asir and the whole Saudi Arabia consume more energy and there is no implementation for renewable energy resources or devices. They can save the building’s energy consumption and protect the ecology through renewable resources and its devices. On the other hand, installing sustainable means of transportation will enhance Saudi’s lifestyle. Saudi’s vision is based on urban connectivity development and social enhancement for all sectors that need applying sustainable development.

Click here to explore the paper in Springer website

Consultancy Firms Role to Improve Construction Industry in Egypt towards Sustainability through Engineering Educational Programs

February , 2014 Wael Aboneama Mostafa Mahdy International Conference on Emerging Trends in Scientific Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: Engineering education is not only done through universities, but also consultancy firms have its big role in it. For example, medical education should have an actual hospital with real patients. Engineering education is the same, for example in architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical education; the students should practice on actual projects. That is the reason consultancy firms are starting to set up educational programs and training for students. Also, sustainability as one of the main objectives for construction industry. The engineering training and educational programs should set up this goal as one of the main objectives to train new architects and engineers to produce a real sustainable project. The research objective is to push consultancy firms in Egypt towards engineering educational and training programs. The methodology will be focused on presenting the UTW (University To Work) activities and its benefits on engineering education towards certain goals and specially sustainability. The outcome will be focused on presenting the main objectives that any firm can focus on to enhance young engineer's capabilities towards sustainability.

http://www.conscientiabeam.com/ebooks/

Enhancing CAD & BIM through applying project function as a variable into Architectural design tools

January , 2015 Wael AboneamaJournal of Al-Azhar University, Engineering sector, ISSN:1110-6409

Abstract: Architectural design was influenced through the last century by several high-tech design tools. Different architectural design methods were innovated. Architectural computer software has been an important and effective tool in this revolution. Architectural program's development is running in two directions: first, one depends on developing a helpful tool for the architect to solve drawings and construction problems; the second is the exploration of artificial intelligence (1) to solve design problems and to lead to better building performance. It is important to explore the components of the architectural design to can use the artificial intelligence (AI) to insert those components in the database of the helpful tool to can support the designer and push his design a step forward. The research objective is to enhance architectural design tools for better building performance by applying site, structure, function, and form in their database.

The role of the Project Management to apply Sustainability on Architectural Design – Case study “Commercial Buildings”

December , 2012 Wael AboneamaAEIC, Al-Azhar Engineering Twelfth International Conferencet, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: The terminology of stakeholders in project management includes more than building owners. It covers everybody who will contribute to the building construction industry and extends beyond the building construction till the operation of the building. The word of “product” as a terminology here is mentioned on purpose to the architect because if the final building will not satisfy the operators and visitors' needs. Commercial Building is a type of buildings that has different categories of stakeholders such as; tenants, operators, and visitors. Each category of those are classified into different types. The architect should design to satisfy all these types of building users. The research objective is to stimulate all architects and consultants to enhance their commercial projects towards sustainability through applying the actual rules and procedures of project management during the design and construction progress.

Enhancing housing industry in Egypt through applying new design and construction techniques towards sustainability and actual market demand

October , 2015 Wael AboneamaIQPC, International Quality & Production Center, Intercontinental, Citystars, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: The housing industry and production in Egypt are facing a catastrophic situation. Nobody can deny housing problems in Egypt. More than 80% of Egyptians are living in Slums. Around 20% of all Egyptians are living in nonhealthy homes. The whole world is focusing now on sustainability and start renovation and replacement operations for its houses. On the other hand, Egypt we still looking to cover housing demand numbers. Housing problem in Egypt is not related to low investment rates in this sector, but to the wrong direction for housing investment. In other words, the production is oriented to only one sector which is only around 10% of all Egyptians and the supply is more than demand. In addition, to the wrong policies, all houses construction is focused on one type of construction which is reinforced concrete (post and lintel) casting on-site. This research will present different types of sustainable construction for all housing types as one of the key solutions, and also to meet market demand and to be in the right way to solve this problem.