Last week, we were honoured to co-host a significant roundtable event, Dual Retrofit: Sustainable & Resilient Buildings, alongside Denmark in the UAE. This event, held at the Capitol Club Dubai International Financial Centre, skilfully organised by Senior Commercial Advisor Hanane El Ghiouane, convened leaders from development, academia, and government—all committed to advancing sustainability and resilience within the built environment.
The roundtable included opening remarks from H.E. Joakim Larsen and CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter, followed by an expert presentation by CIBSE UAE Chair Imran Shaikh. Participants engaged in two dynamic discussions on resilience strategies and sustainable retrofitting opportunities and challenges.
Key takeaways:
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Public-private partnerships as catalysts: Collaborative efforts between sectors were emphasized as essential to accelerating sustainable practices.
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Sustainability as a value proposition: Retrofitting buildings should be seen not only as a path to environmental stewardship but as an opportunity to enhance occupant health, operational efficiency, and real estate value.
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Policy, regulatory, and technological integration: Innovations like AI and predictive analytics, alongside advanced building management systems, are essential for improving resilience.
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District cooling as a retrofit solution: Transitioning to district cooling was identified as a powerful strategy to improve cooling efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower costs—illustrated by impactful projects in the UAE.
Special thanks to our esteemed participants:
Dr. Yasemin Nielsen, Heriot-Watt University | Dr. Bhakti More, Manipal Academy for Higher Education Dubai | Dr. Pablo Izquierdo, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality | Ibrahim Hassanien, Emaar District Cooling | Abdullatif Albitawi, EGBC | Dr. Yianni (Ioannis) Spanos, Expo City | Mohamed Aqeel, Beeah | James Grinnell, RSB Dubai | Jens Fussing, Ramboll | Dr. Jagannathan P., Sobha Realty | Gaurav Bhandari, Tabreed | Sameh Samir, Tabreed | Bjarke Clausen, TC Dubai.
We sincerely thank all participants for their insights and contributions. This impactful dialogue sets the foundation for future partnerships that will drive actionable progress in sustainable and resilient building practices.