Saudi sustainable building demand triples

22/07/2025 01:30 AST

Demand for environmental performance assessments under Saudi Arabia's Sustainable Building program has tripled over the past five years, highlighting the Kingdom's growing focus on eco-friendly development.

The growth follows the launch of the program's digital platform, the automation of service procedures, and improved accessibility. It also reflects enhancements to the ready-built property inspection service, which now allows developers to submit detailed inspection requests for villa compounds and apartment buildings, according to a Saudi Press Agency report citing an official press release.

As part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, the nation is accelerating efforts to make its rapidly growing construction sector more sustainable and environmentally responsible.

Developed by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing, the Mostadam, meaning "sustainable," program is designed to suit the Kingdom's local climate and environmental conditions. It promotes sustainable building practices by improving the efficiency of energy, water, and resource use, while supporting economic growth and job creation.

Projects are awarded one of five ratings, ranging from Green to Diamond, based on their compliance with established sustainability criteria.

"The program noted that six projects received sustainability assessment certificates during the first half of 2025, marking a 200 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Moreover, the number of projects granted design conformity certificates rose by 93 percent, reaching 29 projects," SPA reported.

The release-based report said that 38 new projects, including four communities covering over 8 million sq. meters, have registered for sustainability assessment services, with a combined built-up area exceeding 700,000 sq. meters.

Since its inception in 2018, the platform has issued over 6,000 reports, encompassing property inspections and evaluations of construction quality.

The national program, in cooperation with the Real Estate General Authority, also announced that university students registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers are now eligible to enroll in training programs offered by the Saudi Real Estate Institute, SPA added.

The release said that the initiative aims to support students, enhance their professional readiness, and empower youth by enabling them to develop their skills and create a "Certified Engineer" account through the Mostadam platform.

The Sustainability Assessment is the Kingdom's first evaluation system aligned with international best practices and the Saudi Building Code. It enables owners and developers to measure the sustainability of new and existing buildings through a comprehensive rating system, from design to maintenance.

The assessment standards were specifically developed to suit the nation's climate and environmental conditions, focusing on key areas such as energy, water, health, and quality of life, consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Arab News