Delays likely to UAE green building rules

The rules consist of 67 regulations and are to become mandatory for all new buildings in 2014.

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DUBAI // Some green building regulations due to come into force next year could be delayed again because private developers fear they will cost too much to implement.

The 67 Dubai Municipality rules to make new buildings more sustainable were first proposed in 2009, and were to come into effect for all new buildings next year.

But the municipality does not want to push up the cost of construction, so some of the regulations are being re-evaluated because they may be difficult for developers to implement, a municipality employee said yesterday.

"It is yet to be decided whether a few items will be excluded temporarily," the expert said.

Some of the regulations that could be delayed or altered relate to the use of sustainable construction materials and air quality.

Most of the regulations, which are available on the municipality's website, will not be modified and will be introduced as planned.

Many of the new rules require only that buildings are planned with energy and water efficiency in mind, and cost nothing to implement.

New government construction has to comply with all 67 regulations, and 17 new government buildings either planned or under construction already do so.