Abu Dhabi to set school building eco standard

A new sustainable building standard is being developed for Abu Dhabi's schools.

The system is being drawn up by Estidama, the organisation behind the emirate's local sustainability code for the the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

The news was revealed at this week's BSEC MENA conference in the UAE, where the authority unveiled plans to build 300 schools in the next eight to 10 years.

ADEC signed a memorandum of understanding at the event with Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council agreeing to draft the standard.

It is understood the guidelines will be completed by March or April next year, when they will be made public.

Hammad al Dhaheri, ADEC's manager of infrstructure and facilities, said signing the MOU was "an exciting step" and that the new standards would include features such as water recycling and solar shading.

They will also encourage the reuse of land rather and remediation of contaminated land, the preservation of ecological features and the measurement of the site's energy performance after construction.