A major event to focus on sustainable development in the construction industry opened today (March 2) in Doha.

The inaugural three-day Green Building Solutions (GBS) Conference & Exhibition Doha 2011, running at the Intercontinental Hotel has attracted 500 local and international delegates by providing a mix of content for built-environment professionals.

The event features a tour of Doha green developments, an awards gala dinner, workshops, seminars and a series of important green building announcements from organizer the Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI).

GBS 2011 Conference sessions focus on three of the most critical challenges facing the region’s construction industry: sustainable urbanization, sustainable building typologies, and solutions for sustainable construction.

“The climate change data are clear – we are in a global environmental crisis, and building design and operations must be a key part of the response,” said BQDRI founder and managing director Dr Youssef Al-Horr.

“The key issue at Green Building Solutions 2011 is to inspire and empower people in the building development and operations business to take the next significant steps.”

“GBS 2011 is identifying sustainable and practical ‘green’ solutions which can be applied to all projects and striking the balance between environmentally friendly, functionality and reality,” added Dr Al-Horr.

The GBS Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition Center is encouraging property owners, regulators and construction industry and built environment professionals to visit the three-day exhibition and help shape a better and more sustainable future.

“Green Building Solutions 2011 is Qatar’s first major sustainable development event. As well as promoting QSAS to an international audience, GBS 2011 provides the opportunity for delegates to share ideas and contribute to the green building agenda in the lead-up to COP17 in South Africa,” Dr Al-Horr concluded. – TradeArabia News Service