Assessment framework for sustainable community in the MENA region

الملخص EN

The sustainable community constitutes an experience that may provide a sensible solution to the universal environment and can relatively grow to be a new civilizational pattern that is in line with the principles of sustainable development.

Communities are confronted with numerous urban issues and risks that have economic, social and environmental effects on further development, especially in the MENA regions as it faces different challenges and stresses.

Therefore, this paper aims to propose a sustainable assessment framework for the community in MENA region to enhance the quality of life and sustain natural resources.

The paper discusses and reviews five of the community's leading sustainable rating systems namely BREEAM, LEED, PEARL, GREEN STAR and GSAS, to develop set of criteria for improving communities urban environment.

The analysis process adopts a system of criteria that embraces all features of sustainabililty rating tools.

This paper defines a methodology for developing sustainable communities, offers an in-depth overview of sustainability rating systems and can serve as a recommendation and reference to planners while assessing community in the MENA region.