A Polish architect who worked in the Emirates wants the global building sectors to do more to reduce their carbon footprint – and she thinks she knows how.
Sandra Piesik, who learnt about traditional construction methods in the UAE, says fellow architects should pay more attention to the building techniques of our ancestors.
Construction is responsible for 40 per cent of the world's carbon emissions, and the planet is edging ever closer to 1.5ºC of warming compared with pre-industrial levels.
Now based in the Netherlands, Ms Piesik advocates the adaptation of traditional building techniques and traditional materials as a way to boost local economies, minimise waste and emissions, and make structures that are better suited to their environments.
“The two biggest lessons of sustainability I learnt, one is from the indigenous people of the United Arab Emirates, and the second one is from the Paris Agreement,” she told The National, referring to the 2015 climate pact that set the target of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
“There has never been a more important time to understand how to make the best use of local natural resources, and to produce buildings that connect to ecosystems and livelihoods and do not rely on stripping the environment or transporting materials across the globe.”
Ms Piesik's second impact edition of Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Climate, examines traditional architectural techniques in different climate zones.
She describes “vernacular architecture” as architecture without architects, and her interest in it originated from personal experience.
Ms Piesik used to work for global companies in Dubai where she oversaw the construction of many high-rise buildings.
But fascination with anthropology and indigenous building methods compelled her to delve deeper into local construction methods, especially the innovative use of palm leaves in the UAE to create durable and lightweight shelters quickly.
Ms Piesik said the construction industry could make a significant impact in decreasing carbon emissions and tackling climate change,
She urged the international community to take decisive steps towards creating a sustainable future, saying “we must act now if we are to have any hope of a solution”.
According to the UN Environment Programme's 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, the construction sector is falling behind in its efforts to achieve decarbonisation by 2050.
And the disparity between the industry's climate performance and the decarbonisation target is increasing.
Ms Piesik underscored the importance of using vernacular architecture to build sustainable, climate-adaptive structures that can endure the impact of a shifting climate.
Wider adoption of climate-sensitive architecture would greatly reduce the energy needed to cool buildings, yet it is often overlooked in favour of more modern techniques.
Ms Piesik said globalisation has had negative effects on architecture, particularly through the homogenisation of styles and the loss of local character.
“Westernisation and globalisation have affected development, not necessarily in a good way. It's not just about CO2 emissions, but this is also question of aesthetics and cultural identity,” she said.
She said globalisation had contributed to environmental degradation and social inequality.
As the demand for new buildings and infrastructure grows, architects and developers often give priority to short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability and social responsibility.
This has led to the destruction of natural habitats and the displacement of communities.
Ms Piesik said architects must be more aware of the effects of globalisation on the built environment and take a more holistic and responsible approach.
They should strive to create buildings and spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and socially and environmentally sustainable, she said.
By doing so, they can help to shape a more equitable and resilient future for our global society.
As the effects of climate change become more apparent, Ms Piesik said architects and builders were beginning to recognise the value of this approach.
The magic word for the future, she said, is “adaptation”, on a global, regional and local scale.
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Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
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- £250m to train new AI models
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
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The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
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The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
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