Transforming 4,600 Municipal Buildings:Saudi Arabia’s New Efficiency Guidelines
In alignment with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has launched a comprehensive national initiative to modernize over 4,600 municipal buildings under the guidance of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH). The new efficiency guidelines aim to transform aging municipal infrastructure into high-performing, sustainable, and citizen-centric facilities. The framework encompasses advanced energy efficiency interventions, modernized spatial layouts, and financial sustainability through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). A Building Performance Certificate (BPC) has been introduced to benchmark performance across functional, environmental, economic, and management dimensions, integrated within the Balady digital platform for real-time monitoring and decision-making. Emphasizing adaptive reuse and local architectural identity, the initiative targets a 20–30% reduction in operating costs and the reclamation of over 2 million m² of idle space. Through phased implementation and capacity-building programs, this strategy sets a new national standard for public asset optimization, blending cultural heritage with international best practices in energy, design, and asset management.
Dr.Amr El-Husseiny is a seasoned architect and project leader, celebrated for his strategic design acumen and deep expertise in building conservation. With more than 14 years of specialized experience in architectural design, concept development, and research within the built environment, he expertly bridges theoretical inquiry and practical application.
He earned his Ph.D. in Architecture from The Bartlett, UCL—where his scholarly focus on architectural theory and historic urban contexts in the Middle East distinguished him as a thought leader in combining rigorous research with culturally sensitive design.
Currently, Dr.El-Husseiny serves as a key driver of national-scale building efficiency initiatives within the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH). As Project Manager, he oversees major strategic programs including the enhancement of municipal facilities’ buildings. Under his leadership, comprehensive design guidelines, sustainability playbooks, and advanced building-assessment tools are being authored and deployed nationwide to elevate performance standards across the built infrastructure.
