Comparison between Arz and international green building rating systems

Abstract

This research paper compares the ARZ Green Building Rating System to various internationally recognized systems, such as LEED and BREEAM, in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and applicability within Lebanon's specific socio-economic and environmental context. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) weighs the criteria, and it seems energy efficiency is the most important at 0.421, followed by water usage at 0.233, while sustainability takes the last slot at 0.149. In actual weighted scores, Arab Green Building Rating System (ARZ) did better in terms of energy usage with a score of 0.541, while Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) recorded 0.227 and Building Research Establishment Environmental (BREEAM) 0.232. However, ARZ proved to be less successful with respect to wider parameters of sustainability, emphasizing local adaptability. Results underline the strengths of ARZ for items related to cost and resource efficiency but also point out the remaining challenges with respect to the fulfillment of international standards in a global world. The present paper is one of the few studies developing an understanding of green building formats, providing insight into adjusting sustainable practices within regional limitations