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On The Path towards Sustainable Construction—The Case of the United Arab Emirates: A Review

Author

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  • Shadeedha Mohamed Saradara

    (Department of Management Science & Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates)

  • Malik Mansoor Ali Khalfan

    (Department of Management Science & Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates)

  • Abdul Rauf

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates)

  • Rubina Qureshi

    (Department of Humanities & Social Science, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

The construction sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expanding substantially due to many variables, including strong economic growth, a swiftly growing population, and continuous modernization endeavors. As a result, the development of the construction industry is leading to adverse impacts on energy consumption and environmental conditions. The UAE government and policymakers have implemented significant initiatives to advance sustainable infrastructure, promote clean energy utilization, effectively manage construction and demolition waste (CDW), and foster green building development. These measures follow the nation’s dedication to the Paris Agreement, which aims to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The article comprehensively examines the policies and practices implemented in this industrialized nation concerning sustainable construction. Moreover, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the UAE in comparison to other countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concerning their accomplishments in sustainability. Additionally, the study seeks to integrate insights from the global community regarding sustainability policies, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the effective management of CDW, and the implementation of green regulations that govern environmentally conscious construction practices. A comprehensive analysis of information sources from official websites, particularly those of the ministry and key government agencies, is conducted to better understand the current sustainability policies and treatment methods related to the management of CDW and green building regulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Shadeedha Mohamed Saradara & Malik Mansoor Ali Khalfan & Abdul Rauf & Rubina Qureshi, 2023. "On The Path towards Sustainable Construction—The Case of the United Arab Emirates: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14652-:d:1256335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Charikleia Karakosta & Jason Papathanasiou, 2025. "Decarbonizing the Construction Sector: Strategies and Pathways for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Yousif Jaleel & Mohd Saidin Misnan & Mohamad Zahierruden Ismail, 2024. "Institutional Role in Adopting Sustainable Construction in Iraq," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(6), pages 403-415, June.
    3. Yasmin El-Hakim & Mohamed Nagib AbouZeid, 2024. "Towards Mitigating Climate Change Negative Impact: The Role of Regulations and Governance in the Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-34, August.
    4. Sabika Nasrim Pilathottathil & Abdul Rauf, 2024. "Barriers to the Use of Cross-Laminated Timber for Mid-Rise Residential Buildings in the UAE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Taj Wali & Azmat Qayum & Fahad Algarni & Fazle Malik & Saeed Ullah Jan, 2025. "Evaluating the Use of Alternative Fuels in Cement Production for Environmental Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Leticia S. Ribeiro & Ana Lúcia Nazareth da Silva & Mayara Amario & Carina M. Stolz & Assed N. Haddad & Dieter Thomas Boer, 2024. "Reuse of Steel Residue in Polypropylene Matrices for the Production of Plastic Wood, Aiming at Decarbonization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-18, May.
    7. Abdullah Alghafis & Haneen Bawayan & Sultan Alghamdi & Mohamed Nejlaoui & Abdullah Alrashidi, 2025. "Harnessing Renewable Waste as a Pathway and Opportunities Toward Sustainability in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-30, October.

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