Advisor-Environmental & Sustainability Planning for Abu Dhabi Government
PUBLIC LIGHTING STRATEGY
The Department of Municipal Affairs is the state govt body that runs the municipal system in Abu Dhabi.
Working in the Governance department alongside The Hon. Denis Burke, Matt was involved in numerous projects set to reduce the ecological footprint (both within the department and in collaboration with other government agencies)
Projects included;
Abu Dhabi International Building Codes; development and implementation of bespoke building codes designed to increase building longevity from 25-50 years translating into over a $Trillion in economic savings. The energy code itself would reduce a buildings energy consumption by 70% (aligning with UN standards for extremely hot climates).
http://docshare01.docshare.tips/files/22456/224563680.pdf
Harmonization of the building codes (mandatory minimum standards) and the Estidama Green Building Rating System (voluntary rating system). https://www.albawaba.com/upc-and-municipal-system-unveil-estidama-pearl-villa-owner-manual
Development and implementation of the emirate-wide landscape and irrigation strategy
http://wam.ae/en/details/1395277640871
Demand Side Management program; energy efficiency interventions for over 1000 existing buildings in Abu Dhabi City, chaired by David Scott of the Executive Affairs Authority and involved think tank Research Triangle International (RTI) from the US.
https://www.rti.org/impact/demand-side-management-abu-dhabi
Development and implementation of the Sustainable Public Lighting Strategy which involved retrofitting 230,000 streetlights ($900M). This involved Matt amalgamating two smaller government agencies to deliver the project.
Development of the business case for 180,000 tonne/refrigeration district cooling plant
2013; Peer review and recommendation for the construction of a 42km long gravity sewer tunnel ($1.9Bn)
https://www.water-technology.net/projects/strategic-tunnel-enhancement-program-abu-dhabi/
Development and implementation of the Abu Dhabi Environmental, Health and Safety Management System (Construction Sector) for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi ($80M) http://www.adehsms.ae/Pages/ADEHSMSDetails.aspx
Prepared the optimal land plot size and proportions for Emirati housing, addressing privacy, amenity, connectivity, and land-use economics.
Member of the Abu Dhabi Combustible Cladding Task Force-whole of government task force addressing the widespread use of combustible Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) cladding throughout the UAE. Cassian Drew headed the Quality and Conformity Council that were tasked with developing new standards for Abu Dhabi, including building materials which needed to be referenced in the building codes program.
https://gulfnews.com/uae/flammable-high-rise-panels-banned-by-revised-fire-code-in-uae-1.1109378
Developed the policy for window aperture openings (no greater than 100mm) and balcony climb-ability parameters to address widespread child fatalities (falls from high rise apartment buildings) in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Developed and implemented a rapid intervention program to safeguard windows and balconies in all non-compliant apartments
Collaborated with government agencies to prepare the strategy and implementation program to retrofit energy and water saving measures into existing apartment buildings.
Preparation and publication of the inaugural Sustainability Report for the Abu Dhabi Government.
