On Tuesday, 3 March 2026, Energy Conservation and Improvement in the Built Environment (ECIBE) held a seminar for employees from different departments of the Presidency and the directorates of Sulaimani Municipality titled: “The Impact of Building Design and Construction on the Environment.” The seminar was presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chro Ali.
During the session, we explained how building projects affect the environment across the full life cycle - from material extraction and transportation, to construction activities, and finally operation and maintenance. We highlighted common impacts such as high energy use, water consumption, construction waste, air and water pollution, loss of green areas, and increased urban heat in dense city zones.
We also focused on solutions that departments and decision-makers can apply in real projects, including:
- Climate-responsive design (orientation, shading, natural ventilation)
- Energy efficiency (insulation, efficient systems, smart operation)
- Sustainable materials (lower-impact choices, local sourcing when possible)
- Waste reduction (reuse, recycling, better site management)
- Healthier buildings (better indoor air quality and comfort)
To make the topic practical, we discussed a comparison between traditional and contemporary housing, showing how design choices can change thermal comfort and energy demand.
ECIBE thanks all participants for their engagement. We look forward to more collaboration with local institutions to support greener, healthier, and more efficient buildings in Sulaimani. Photos: https://i.imgur.com/SS6MzLY.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/RSs33Ob.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Zl0uUL8.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/bbQb041.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/FNi7k6V.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/qJJtlkL.jpeg