The Estidama Program is the official sustainable buildings and communities guidelines of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council in association with the Environmental Agency and Abu Dhabi Municipality.
Estidama means "Sustainability" in Arabic.
Estidama was launched on 28th May 2008 as a joint collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, The Environmental Agency, Abu Dhabi Municipality, and Masdar.
The Estidama sustainable buildings and communities guidelines were developed through rigorous environmental, social and economic research within Abu Dhabi.
No, they are voluntary within 2008.
The Urban Planning Council encourages developers to start abiding by the guidelines as by early 2009 some prerequisite regulations will be created.
Yes, the Urban Planning Council is currently finalizing the incentives.
Currently, there is no Estidama training for assessment.
The Urban Planning Council is selecting projects to be pilot tested to assist with the development of the Estidama program. These pilot projects will be the first Estidama rated developments in Abu Dhabi.
No, Estidama has a different assessment tool and rating system, the development will have to be assessed and accredited separately as Estidama. There is no solid equivalence to any other rating system since Estidama is tailored for the main factors of the region.
After the regulations are announced in 2009, all New Buildings should achieve a minimum of one pearl (no incentives are given to one pearls).
The maintenance and operations guidelines for existing buildings are expected in April 2009.
New Building Guidelines for:
Single Family Housing (villas, townhomes, etc)
Civic, Institutional and Educational Buildings (Schools, Universities, etc)
Tourism Facilities (Resorts, Hotels, etc)
The guidelines are adapted to serve Abu Dhabi's needs, however the rest of the UAE and other GCC countries are also encouraged to use these guidelines as they are more relevant to our environment and culture then other worldwide rating systems.