{"id":13086,"date":"2025-06-23T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T04:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecatalystonline.com\/?p=13086"},"modified":"2025-06-23T10:01:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T04:31:00","slug":"bringing-new-life-to-old-buildings-with-smart-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/?p=13086","title":{"rendered":"Bringing new life to old buildings with smart technology"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image Credit: Ibrahim Imam, CoCEO & CoFounder, PlanRadar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Across the Middle East, sustainability is no longer a vision\u2014it’s a requirement. As governments set net-zero targets and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics become central to investment strategies, attention is turning toward one of the region\u2019s most significant challenges: existing building stock. Studies show that approximately 80% of the buildings expected to be in use in 2050 have already been built. To achieve climate goals, the International Energy<\/a> Agency (IEA) estimates that at least 50% of today\u2019s buildings must be retrofitted by 2040. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UAE, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is spearheading this effort through its Etihad ESCO initiative, aiming to retrofit 30,000 buildings by 2030. The result? Projected energy savings of 1.68 terawatt-hours and over 5.64 billion gallons of water conserved. In Saudi Arabia, the National Energy Services Company (Tarshid) is implementing energy efficiency retrofits across government facilities, with pilot projects already reporting energy cost reductions of up to 40%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But retrofitting at scale requires more than good intentions\u2014it demands accurate data, streamlined processes, and digital oversight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Tools Driving Smarter Upgrades<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real-Time Data Collection & Performance Insights<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Digital platforms like PlanRadar<\/a> allow asset owners and facility managers to track building performance in real time. From HVAC systems to insulation issues, the software enables teams to capture photos, notes, and checklists\u2014providing time-stamped data to guide retrofit priorities. This visibility ensures that sustainability improvements are targeted and measurable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhancing ESG Compliance & Transparency<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The pressure to report on ESG metrics is growing. Investors and regulators alike demand traceability and clear documentation. Smart retrofitting platforms integrate ESG compliance into everyday workflows, enabling teams to track carbon footprint reductions, material reuse, and energy savings. According to McKinsey, deep retrofits can reduce building energy use by up to 40%, with light retrofits cutting 10\u201315%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Predictive Maintenance for Long-Term Value<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Retrofitting isn’t just a one-off exercise. Digital tools with predictive analytics help extend the value of upgrades. By monitoring system behaviour over time, AI-enhanced platforms can forecast potential failures\u2014allowing teams to schedule preventive maintenance before inefficiencies arise. This reduces operational disruptions, prolongs asset life, and contributes to long-term ESG outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting Financial ROI with Sustainability<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The economic case for digital retrofitting is compelling. A study by the Rocky Mountain Institute found that smart retrofits can generate a return on investment within 3\u20137 years. In many cases, energy cost savings of up to 20% are achievable through better building performance and reduced rework. Add to this the benefits of improved tenant satisfaction, lower vacancy rates, and compliance with green building standards, and the ROI becomes multi-dimensional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Futureproofing GCC Assets<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The building retrofit movement in the GCC is gaining momentum. Governments are issuing green building mandates, and developers are under pressure to align with national sustainability agendas, such as the UAE\u2019s Net Zero 2050 and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Vision 2030. Smart retrofitting offers a practical pathway to align aging assets with these objectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital tools not only simplify retrofit implementation but ensure that building upgrades deliver lasting ESG value. By embracing smart technologies, developers and asset owners can transform legacy buildings into high-performing, sustainable assets\u2014positioning their portfolios for long-term relevance and resilience in the evolving real estate landscape. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Retrofitting buildings is key to net-zero goals in the Middle East, with 80% of 2050\u2019s stock already built and 50% needing upgrades by 2040, says the IEA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13844,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,62],"tags":[],"post_template":[],"top_category":[],"class_list":["post-13086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive","category-techforearth","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13086"},{"taxonomy":"post_template","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fpost_template&post=13086"},{"taxonomy":"top_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalyst2.paperboats.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftop_category&post=13086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}