The Saudi Green Building Council (SGBC) has suggested that authorities in charge of building light railway systems across the Kingdom ensure that noise, vibration and environmental hazards are reduced when these transport facilities traverse urban areas. SGBC said in its position paper presented during the Second Annual Urban Transport Saudi Arabia Workshop on Wednesday that light trains passing through cities, like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, must not disturb residents or damage buildings through vibration, and must be eco-friendly. Plans are already on the table to establish light railway systems in major cities across the Kingdom. “In establishing light railway systems, we must make sure that noise is tempered, infrastructure is protected from deterioration, and that environmental dangers posed by emissions, smells, and pollution are not generated,” said Ali Othman Al-Najim, Deputy Chairman of SGBC. He said new transport infrastructure systems being planned must take into consideration social awareness and acceptance by the population. Authorities must work closely with the manufacturers of these urban transport systems to provide a safety net to protect residents from noise and pollution. He said in urban planning the symbiotic relationship between green building and the transportation sector must be emphasized and prioritized. “Our city and municipal authorities are urged to legislate laws that will both protect green building and transport systems by means of eco-friendly designs and standards,” Najim said. “The protection of green building is better achieved if our transport facilities encourage social change, get the acceptance of the population, are cost-effective, and are not a source of noise and environmental pollution,” Najim stressed. “The Saudi Green Building Council addresses the sustainability of buildings, sites, and city locations. The transport systems should be part of these objectives,” he added. Najim said promoting awareness about the importance of sustainable buildings and encouraging their protection are also objectives of sectors such as construction and transportation. __
