The energy situation in the Gaza strip- Palestine is severely deteriorated and unable to meet people's
everyday needs. There is a shortage of about 35% (100 MJ) of the required electricity. As a result, people
suffer from daily power cuts lasting up to 8 hours.
Using renewable energy resources available in the Gaza strip in the domestic housing sector, especially
solar energy, as well as improving energy-efficiencies in buildings as far as possible, is proposed as part
of an overall solution to the energy problems in the Gaza strip. Applying energy conservation and
efficiency measures in residential buildings is highly recommended to improve the overall energy situation
in Palestine. Buildings that adopt sustainable energy applications contribute to minimize the dependence
on inadequate conventional energy sources in Gaza, reduce the adverse environmental effects caused by
burning fossil fuels, as well as help easing the energy crisis. This can also help to create green job
opportunities for architects, engineers, technicians and workers involved in energy generation and
conservation processes in the construction sector.
Accordingly, it is believed that a strong supply of awareness and skills can help to drive sustainable
construction forward, making skills-led strategies for energy efficient buildings viable. Therefore, it is
proposed through this project to establish, a training program on different sustainable construction
solutions and technologies aimed to minimize the energy consumption of buildings, for architects, and
involved engineers as well as for workers. In addition, it is planned that a broad skills strategy for
sustainable construction will be developed and that specific modules on energy-efficient buildings are
incorporated in the curricula of the architecture department at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). To
further support needed skills development, further complemented through different on-the-job training
programs and schemes will be considered. The project aims to fulfil the following objectives:
Objectives
- Promoting sustainable building design and construction to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the
environmental impacts of energy use in buildings.
- Facilitating a transition towards more environmentally sustainable development in Palestine.
- Developing a strategy for sustainable construction to alleviate energy related challenges currently
experienced in the Gaza Strip - Palestine.
- Establishing a research cluster to enable scholars to better exchange ideas and explore emerging
research areas in the field of energy efficiency.
- Developing a training program on energy-efficient buildings for architects and engineers working in the
different organizations related to building design and construction in the Gaza strip.
- Introducing specific modules on energy-efficient buildings to be incorporated in curricula of the
architecture department at the Islamic university of Gaza.