Evaluating Heat Island Effect at University Campus with Reference to LEED v4.

Abstract

The growing complexity in environmental degradation requires a serious action for adopting sustainable initiatives in the different institutions design and operation. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world that helps institutions to evaluate their current sustainable performance, and provides a concise guidance for identifying and implementing practical and measurable solutions. One of the important challenges to achieve sustainability, especially in hot dry climate region, such as Jeddah city, KSA, is the urban heat island effect that contributes to energy consumption. \xa0Effat University, Jeddah is striving towards convoying the sustainable trends in developing and designing its campus, in the light of Saudi 2030 vision, which targets reducing energy consumption. This research contributes to the knowledge of rating sustainability through measuring the level of sustainability at Effat University Campus with reference to the LEED v4 rating system (Operation and Maintenance). The research focuses on site selection category, Heat Island Reduction Credit, Option 1 Non-roof Surfaces. This was carried on through quantitative methodology that based on surveying the university campus landscape elements and materials, and interviewing maintenance key persons. The results of this research would potentially help Effat University to improve the campus environmental and energy performance through recommending a set of evidence-driven actions that can help in reducing heat island effect and enhance the efficiency of the university landscape sitting and material. This would also\xa0 help in moving Effat University one-step forward to develop a green campus and being LEED Certified.