Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the region’s premier integrated innovation hub for high-tech industries, has announced its intention to start promoting and supporting the Green Building initiative.

Muammar Al Katheeri, director of planning and construction at the DSO Authority (DSOA), said it had tendered its first green building for design back in August, one of the first three buildings at the Oasis to adopt the building concept which embraces high-tech solutions for energy saving such as solar panels and the use of recyclable material.
DSOA is expected to adopt the globally recognised rating system Leed (Leadership in energy  and environmental design) – the US Green Building Council’s rating system.
Al Katheeri said it was currently in the process of preparing a Green Building policy to cover all the activities within the oasis, thus supporting the city with a responsible, healthy and prosperous environment. The enthusiasm with which DSO was pursuing sustainable and green development reflected its commitment towards making it one of the leading technology parks globally, the official added.
DSO’s moves come in line with the Dubai government’s directives towards adopting and implementing the sustainable development and green building concept announced through the Executive Office Council last September.
“The initiative will help promote a thriving environment through the use of sustainable practices and products in the design and construction of buildings and renovation as well as in the ongoing operation of buildings within the Dubai Silicon Oasis jurisdiction,” a DSO statement said.
 DSO said that amendments to the rules and regulations of the Oasis would be carried out to drive the change in market trends. It said incentives would be announced later for developers applying green concepts.