A Guide to Sustainable Engineering Practices

As humanity faces an array of environmental challenges, from climate change to resource depletion, sustainable engineering emerges as a pivotal field dedicated to devising solutions that meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This discipline integrates principles of environmental science with engineering to develop efficient, durable, and economical solutions, minimizing the ecological footprint of human activities. Sustainable engineering addresses a broad spectrum of environmental challenges. It plays a crucial role in combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in managing waste to prevent pollution, in conserving water and energy, and in protecting ecosystems … Continue reading

How To Maintain An Eco-Friendly Golf Course

Creating eco-friendly golf courses is not only a step towards preserving our planet but also a way to enhance the golfing experience by integrating the game with its natural surroundings.  As golf courses are known for their extensive use of land, water, and chemicals, the shift towards eco-friendly practices is essential for the sport’s sustainability. This comprehensive guide outlines the essentials of maintaining an eco-friendly golf course, drawing upon the latest insights and strategies from industry leaders. Golf Course Essentials The key to a successful eco-friendly golf course lies in understanding and implementing practices that minimize environmental impact while maintaining, … Continue reading

Flood Risk Assessment Report 101: Balancing Safety And Sustainability In Building Planning

Flood risk assessment reports (FRARs) are crucial—evaluating potential flood hazards to promote safety through informed mitigation strategies. However, these reports’ environmental impacts are often overlooked in the urgency to protect property and lives. This article explores integrating sustainability alongside safety within the FRAR framework by utilizing natural flood defenses, eco-conscious materials and design, and life-cycle impact analysis. A balanced approach allows communities to implement flood protection solutions while preserving the surrounding environment for generations. Understanding Flood Risk Before diving into the specifics of a flood risk assessment report, it’s essential to understand the various factors that contribute to flood risk. … Continue reading

Innovative Trends Increase Appeal Of Sustainable Housing

Over recent years, an increasing number of people have become interested in learning to live more sustainably. Although it is considerably more difficult for an individual to preserve the environment than it is for a large company, there are a number of ways in which a difference can be made. One of the most effective ways is through sustainable homeownership. While this most certainly does involve implementing sustainable practices on a daily basis, there are several sustainable home design trends that can boost the level of sustainability of a house even more. From implementing passive housing to sourcing building materials and … Continue reading

Sustainability Perspectives for Amman

Is Amman a sustainable city? No, it is not. That isn’t a very surprising statement if you’ve ever lived in or visited Amman. By all means, it’s a beautiful city, with plenty to offer visitors and residents alike. It is a diverse city with a wide range of experiences to offer between East and West Amman or Downtown to Abdoun. The fact remains however that it is not a very sustainable city. We as residents are not being kind to the city we call home. When I look at Amman I happen to see all the things I like, but also all … Continue reading

Women and the Environment: Perspectives from Arabia

Women and the environment are closely interlinked, throughout history, different nations glorified women as powerful symbols of nature, and nature has always been given the female characteristics: care, reproduction and life-giving. Nevertheless, women’s involvement in the preservation of the environment has seldom been recognized and documented in the histories of several nations. One of the most significant phenomena in the last decades is recognition of women rights to achieve sustainable development; many international agreements reflected this recognition, including Rio Declaration in 1992, which stresses the point of the centrality of the full women participation to achieve environmental sustainability. The UN … Continue reading

The Global Clean Cities Expo 2024 – Dubai’s Most Anticipated Sustainability and Clean City Expo

Join Dubai’s Most Anticipated Sustainability and Clean City Expo on March 5th & 6th. Less than 10 days until the world’s top sustainability minds convene to discuss clean city strategies! The Global Clean Cities Expo 2024, to be held under the patronage of the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, is now less than two weeks away and is one of the most looked-forward shows of all time. Recently, big names like Sharaf Future, Atarfil, Carpi Tech, Clearbot, UAE Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Clean Energy Business Council, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Middle East Solar Industry … Continue reading

السيناريوهات الزراعية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط

الزراعة تلعب دورا هاما في اقتصادات معظم الدول في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا . مساهمة القطاع الزراعي في الاقتصاد الكلي يختلف اختلافا كبيرا بين الدول في المنطقة، بدءا من حوالي 3.2 في المئة في المملكة العربية السعودية إلى 13.4 في المئة في مصر. يعتبر الري على نطاق واسع هو توسع ، تمكين الإنتاج المكثف من النقد و تصدير المحاصيل عالية القيمة، بما في ذلك الفواكه والخضراوات والحبوب، والسكر . تحتل مصر المركز الرابع عشر كأكبر منتج للأرز  والمركز الثامن كأكبر منتج للقطن  عالميا . أنتجت مصر ما يقارب  5670000 طن من الأرز و635000 طن من القطن في عام  2011 . … Continue reading

Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform (GUPAP): Driving Agriculture in Gaza

The Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform- GUPAP, launched in 2013, consists of a multi-stakeholder, interactive and participatory forum that brings together all key actors involved in the development of a resilient Palestinian agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip. GUPAP is currently made up of about 80 members, including national and local government Institutions; Non-Governmental Civil Institutions; the Private Sector; Research and Educational Institutions; Agricultural Value Chain Platforms and Agricultural Micro-Finance Institutions. Over the past years, GUPAP, by building institutional capacity and collaboration among GUPAP members this resulted in the design and adaptation of 5 policies relating to local market-oriented … Continue reading

الحرب في معادلة السلوك البشري والتنمية المستدامة

الأهمية الاستراتيجية لمعادلة السلوك البشري والتنمية المستدامة صارت في مقدمة أولويات مبادئ المشروع الدولي البيئي، وتمثل تلك المبادئ توجهاً مهماً لبناء النهج الدولي المؤسس في بعده الاستراتيجي لمنظومة السلوك البشري الرشيد الذي يُكون الأركان الرئيسة لمعادلة خطة العمل الدولية لإنجاز أهداف التنمية المستدامة. ويتجسّد ذلك في النظرة الاستراتيجية في معالجة العوامل المكوّنة للخطر البيئي على الأمن الإنساني وتحديد الاتجاهات المنهجية لاستبعاد مؤسسات السلوك البشري غير الرشيد كعامل رئيس في منظومة ذلك الخطر. الحروب المتصاعدة وآثارها التدميرية في العديد من البلدان والمناطق في العالم، من أكثر السلوك البشري غير الرشيد خطراً على صحة الإنسان والبيئة، وتشكّل أداة التدمير بعيدة المدى في … Continue reading

قصص ملهمة – القصة الثانية: ربى الزعبي – ملهمة الابتكار الأخضر والريادة في العمل المجتمعي

المهندسة ربى الزعبي، قيادية وخبيرةٌ معروفة في السياسات البيئية والحوكمة والتخطيط في مجال التنمية المستدامة وتعتبرُ مصدرَ إلهامٍ حقيقيٍّ للشبابِ في الأردن وخارجه. تشغل الزعبي حاليا منصب المدير التنفيذي لجمعية إدامة (EDAMA) وهي منظمة غير ربحية اردنية تمثل إحدى أوائل جمعياتِ الأعمالِ المعنية  بإيجاد حلولٍ مبتكرةٍ في قطاعات الطاقة والمياه والبيئة وتحفيز الاقتصاد الاخضر. ربى الزعبي سفيرة  (قرارات عالمية Global Resolutions) في الأردن وعضوة في شبكة النفع المجتمعي (Plus Social Good) التي تحاول تعزيزِ الوعي ونشرِ قصصِ النجاحَ المتعلقة بالأهداف العالمية للتنمية المستدامة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا MENA. وتعتبرُ المهندسة ربى الزعبي من الناشطين في العمل التطوعي وهي … Continue reading

Freshwater Management Outlook for UAE

Per capita water consumption of freshwater in the United Arab Emirates is the highest in the world. Over the last several decades, the demand on municipal water supply has increased significantly in the UAE. This is mainly due to increase in population growth, economic development and changes in lifestyle of the people. Though water is used by many sectors such as manufacturing industries, agriculture and domestic purposes, residential  and commercial uses of water during the operational phase of the building is one of the biggest contributing factors that puts a strain on freshwater supply in the country. Desalination and Sustainability … Continue reading