May 16 marked the much-awaited inauguration of Al Janoub Stadium (formerly Al Wakrah Stadium) hosting the Amir Cup 2019 final. Sprawling across a massive 600,000 sqm area, the arena lit up as crowds cheered to an enchanting fire show debuting the second of the total of eight stadiums to be ready for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Featuring a seating capacity for 40,000 spectators, the facility is reminiscent of Arab heritage profoundly embedded in its design. However, a rich cultural feel is not the only outstanding feature of this stadium. The hi-tech facility located in Al Wakrah boasts some of the world’s finest sustainability credentials.

Here’s a rundown of ten key sustainability facts you should know about Al Janoub Stadium:

1. GSAS Certificates

True to Qatar’s commitment to deliver an environmentally sustainable World Cup, Al Janoub Stadium has bagged multiple green certificates. It has been endorsed for its outstanding performance with an award of 4 stars rating in GSAS Design & Build certification and Class A* rating in GSAS Construction Management certification. Additionally, the stadium has received the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) certificate for Al Wakrah Energy Centre.

2. Energy Efficiency

In terms of energy management, Al Janoub Stadium is 30 percent more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1 standards. To meet the HVAC needs, it has an efficient district cooling plant in place along with highly insulated walls. Similarly, LED lights have been installed across the facility to reduce its overall energy consumption.

3. Water Conservation

With highly efficient water outlets, Al Janoub Stadium consumes 30 percent less water in terms of international plumbing codes. Water used within the facility is recycled for district cooling and landscaping purposes.

4. Sustainable Materials

During the construction phases, locally sourced materials and locally manufactured/assembled components were given priority to minimize the environmental impact. In terms of cost, more than 15 percent of the permanent building materials are made from recycled content. The indoor spaces are finished with nontoxic paints while the exterior carries a lighter color to create a cooling effect.

5. Modular Structure

An event like FIFA World Cup demands massive seating capacity compared to Qatar’s local needs for sporting infrastructure. What happens, then, once the football tournament is over? Post 2022, maintaining the stadium with its original capacity will not only be financially impractical but also an environmental nuisance due to unnecessary energy consumption required to keep it running. Thanks to Al Janoub’s modular design, 20,000 of its seats will be dismantled after the World Cup and sent to deserving countries to support their infrastructure. To enhance its usability for Qatar post World Cup, the stadium features a retractable roof and cooling technologies to keep it operational all year round.

6. Waste Management

Careful consideration was given in disposing of the waste created during the construction of Al Janoub Stadium. In fact, more than 85 percent of the waste generated during construction was processed to be reused or recycled. Going forward to the operations stage, the stadium’s design is compatible to enable effective waste management.

7. Sustainable Transportation

Sustainability isn’t just about incorporating green credentials. Operational efficacy of a sustainable project significantly owes to the provision of transport facilities around it. According to World Health Organization, emissions from traffic contributes to anywhere between 12 and 70 percent of the global air pollution. With Doha Metro station connected to the stadium, commute to and from Al Janoub Stadium does not have to take a toll on the environment. The precinct also features dedicated bus stops and shuttle stations connected with Al Wakrah metro station. Additionally, there are safe pedestrian routes and an interconnected path for cycling.

8. Sustainable Landscaping

What good is landscaping if it’s not sustainable in the long run? That, however, is not the case with Al Janoub Stadium. Plantation across the stadium’s precinct has been done by growing 200,000 sqm of green area and low maintenance vegetation. Such landscaping not only adds to the facility’s overall aesthetic appeal but also helps create a cooling effect while addressing the issue of water conservation.

9. Environmental Protection

During the construction phase, Al Janoub Stadium has complied to the best international practices as to minimize the impact of construction activities on the nearby environment. Teams responsible for the development phase actively worked towards waste recycling as well as dust suppression as well as noise control. Similarly, habitat preservation strategy for desert lizards was among core areas of focus during the design and construction of the stadium.

10. Sustainability Summit Green Award

Among other achievements, Al Janoub Stadium has received a green award during the Sustainability Summit 2018, hosted in Doha by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), for its outstanding sustainable construction practices.

Source: First Published on GORD’s website: https://www.gord.qa/blog-details/14/qatars-al-janoub-stadium-emerges-among-worlds-most-sustainable-stadiums-with-outstanding-gsas-rating

Image provided by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy

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Binu Cherian

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