# Built Environment

**Source**: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/qeeri/environment-center/built-environment
**Parent**: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/qeeri/environment-center

## Overview

The initiative assesses environmental risks within Qatar’s built environment, and evaluates and develops
sustainable, human-centred solutions to improve indoor environmental quality, urban cooling, and climate
adaptation.

## Projects

- RISE - Resilient Integrated-Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality in Arid
  Regions

The aim of this research project is to optimize indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and
energy efficiency through innovative managed fresh air intake strategies and integrated HVAC
control systems. The project will conduct well-designed systematic IEQ experiments, advanced
IEQ sensing, high-fidelity indoor environment simulations, AI-driven automation and
multi-objective optimization to enhance energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and adaptive
indoor comfort. The integration of multi-parameter monitoring with predictive algorithms
supports real-time, adaptive management of indoor environments, while leveraging validated
numerical models to calibrate the control algorithms for fine-tuned performance. Predictive
analytics, including weather and occupancy forecasting, will dynamically adjust setpoints to
maintain occupant-preferred humidity-compensated comfort and IEQ based on international
standards such as those from the world health organization (WHO) and ASHRAE. Key performance
indicators include adaptive comfort, pollutant concentrations, HVAC energy demand, and
system responsiveness. The project’s novelty lies in its integrated, scalable, and AI-driven
building management solutions for real-time IEQ monitoring and control. The outcomes
strongly align with HBKU’s sustainability and innovation goals and have high potential for
technology transfer across residential and commercial buildings.