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.
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
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Rating: 4/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday Stuttgart v Cologne (Kick-off 10.30pm UAE)
Saturday RB Leipzig v Hertha Berlin (5.30pm)
Mainz v Borussia Monchengladbach (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v SC Freiburg (5.30pm)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (5.30pm)
Sunday Wolfsburg v Arminia (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Hoffenheim (9pm)
Bayer Leverkusen v Augsburg (11.30pm)
Selected fixtures
All times UAE
Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm
Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm
Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm
Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm
Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm
Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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