Sustainability at an Urban Level: A Case Study of a Neighborhood in Dubai, UAE

The United Arab Emirates is witnessing enormous growth and the sustainability attitude has become one of most important priorities in this development. This paper aims to optimize environmental Emirate Dubai communities by adopting an existing community as a case study. investigation study looking at levels that consists two major factors neighborhood sustainable design, such livability thermal performance. strategy enhancing optimizing communities’ starts with approach applicable modifications solutions existed master planning, where cover main urban design variables; (a) building (b) open landscape areas. effect adopted scenarios analyzed find improvement computer software packages, namely CityCAD Integrated Environmental Solutions—Virtual Environment (IES-VE), undertake assessments. Furthermore, are evaluated using States Green Building Council (USGBC)’s Leadership Energy Design (LEED) assessment tool. results have shown can be increased after adoption certain suggested scenarios, order mitigate likely weakness indicated aspects, covering land-use diversity, accessibility, transportation system, green areas, energy efficiency, turned toward “Sustainable Community” implementing recommended actions modifications.