Building Construction and Energy Efficiency Measuring Policy for the University of Tunis El Manar

Introduction

The University of Tunis El Manar (UTM) is committed to creating a sustainable, energy-efficient, and accessible campus that minimizes environmental impact while promoting responsible resource management. This policy outlines the principles and guidelines for building construction and energy efficiency measurement across the university’s facilities, ensuring that UTM’s buildings meet high standards of sustainability, energy efficiency, and accessibility for all members of the university community, including those with disabilities. UTM will collaborate with the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), the GDA Sidi Amor, and STEG (Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz) to integrate innovative technologies, including the use of biomaterials in construction and sustainable energy solutions.

UTM is also committed to responsible planning for its green campus, ensuring that its environmental impact is minimized while providing a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all residents, staff, students, and visitors. The goal is to create a campus that is not only energy-efficient but also a model of sustainability for the wider community.

Objectives

Ensure all new buildings and major renovations adhere to sustainable construction practices and energy efficiency standards while maintaining accessibility for all users, including individuals with physical disabilities.
Measure and reduce the energy consumption of existing buildings, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy use efficiency.
Promote the use of renewable energy in campus buildings and facilities.
Provide clear guidelines for energy efficiency monitoring and reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Foster a culture of sustainability and inclusivity within the university community through education, awareness, and involvement in energy conservation initiatives.
Collaborate with ENIT, STEG, and GDA Sidi Amor to integrate innovative engineering solutions, efficient energy designs, and sustainable biomaterial sourcing and applications.
Ensure responsible planning for a green campus, creating an environment that prioritizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and accessibility for all residents and visitors.

Guiding Principles

Sustainable Building Design and Construction

All new buildings and major renovations will incorporate sustainable design principles, focusing on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental impact reduction, with accessibility as a core consideration.
Construction will prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials, biomaterials, renewable energy sources, and low-carbon technologies.
Biomaterials such as hempcrete, bamboo, and mycelium-based products will be integrated into building designs in collaboration with ENIT to enhance the sustainability of construction projects and minimize environmental impacts.
Collaboration with GDA Sidi Amor will allow the university to source locally produced biomaterials, supporting regional economies and reducing transportation-related emissions.
Buildings will be designed to maximize natural light, passive heating and cooling, and optimal insulation to reduce energy consumption, while ensuring that spaces are accessible to all, including those with mobility challenges.
Accessibility features will include ramps, elevators, wide doorways, clear signage, and adapted restrooms, in line with international best practices for inclusive design.

Energy Efficiency Standards

All UTM buildings will meet or exceed national and international energy efficiency standards, including ISO 50001 (Energy Management) and relevant building codes, with a focus on universal design that accommodates all users.
Energy performance assessments will be conducted at the planning stage to ensure optimal energy use and efficiency, while ensuring accessibility for everyone, including those with disabilities.
Energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, LED lighting, smart energy controls, and other energy-saving technologies will be integrated into building designs and retrofitting projects, with accessible interfaces for all users.
Partner with ENIT to research and implement the latest energy-efficient technologies in building systems, such as smart grids and advanced insulation materials, while ensuring that these technologies do not hinder accessibility.

Collaboration with STEG for Energy Efficiency

UTM will collaborate closely with STEG, Tunisia’s primary utility company, to ensure that energy efficiency is embedded in the design of new buildings and in the retrofitting of existing structures, while also ensuring accessibility for people with diverse needs.
STEG’s expertise in energy efficiency by design will be leveraged to optimize energy systems on campus, from electrical grids to renewable energy integration, with an emphasis on making these systems accessible to all users.
UTM and STEG will jointly develop real-time energy consumption monitoring systems for the university campus to continuously measure and report energy usage, making data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and ensuring these systems are accessible to the entire campus community.
STEG will assist UTM in achieving its energy goals by providing consultancy on energy optimization strategies, ensuring buildings perform efficiently across heating, lighting, cooling, and electricity use, while maintaining accessibility standards.

Renewable Energy Integration

UTM will prioritize the installation of solar panels, wind turbines, and other forms of renewable energy in both new buildings and existing facilities, where feasible, while ensuring that renewable energy solutions are implemented in a way that remains accessible to all.
Buildings will be designed to accommodate future energy demands, including infrastructure for renewable energy technologies, ensuring that these systems are inclusive and accessible to all users.
UTM will explore partnerships with energy providers and local authorities to expand the use of renewable energy sources on campus, with a focus on making these systems accessible to a wide range of campus users.
Work with ENIT’s energy experts to design and implement large-scale renewable energy solutions for campus buildings, ensuring these technologies are designed inclusively, with accessible features for all members of the university.

Energy Consumption Measurement and Monitoring

UTM will implement smart energy meters in all buildings to measure energy consumption in real-time, enabling more accurate monitoring and reporting of energy use, with accessible interfaces for those with visual or physical disabilities.
Energy audits will be conducted regularly to identify areas for improvement and ensure continuous progress toward energy efficiency goals while prioritizing accessibility in the design of audits and energy-saving systems.
Energy usage data will be analyzed to assess trends, pinpoint inefficiencies, and develop strategies for improvement, ensuring that any changes made also enhance accessibility for all users.
An energy management system (EMS) will be implemented across the campus to centralize data collection and reporting, ensuring effective monitoring and control of energy consumption, while providing accessible formats for all campus members.

Sustainability Education and Awareness

UTM will include energy efficiency principles in its curricula and research initiatives, promoting a campus-wide culture of sustainability and accessibility.
The university will engage students, staff, and faculty in energy conservation efforts through campaigns, workshops, and activities that also focus on the importance of accessibility in sustainable campus initiatives.
Energy efficiency progress will be communicated regularly to the UTM community through reports, displays, and online platforms, ensuring that information is accessible to all members of the university, including those with disabilities.
Collaborate with ENIT to integrate sustainability, energy efficiency, and accessibility concepts into educational programs and research projects, allowing students to contribute to the university’s energy management goals.

Collaboration and Compliance

UTM will comply with local, national, and international regulations regarding energy efficiency in buildings and accessibility standards, including the International Standards on Accessibility (ISO 21542).
The university will collaborate with energy experts, architects, and construction companies specializing in sustainable and accessible design to ensure that all building projects adhere to the highest standards of energy efficiency and accessibility.
UTM will actively participate in energy efficiency networks and partnerships with governmental, academic, and industry leaders to advance sustainability initiatives that are also accessible to all.
UTM will collaborate with ENIT on joint research projects, competitions, and technological innovations in energy-efficient construction, renewable energy applications, and accessible designs, while also sourcing sustainable biomaterials with GDA Sidi Amor to support local ecosystems and economies.

Implementation and Evaluation

Energy Efficiency and Accessibility Targets: Specific energy consumption reduction targets will be set for both new and existing buildings, ensuring these targets also consider accessibility needs. Progress will be evaluated annually against these goals.
Regular Audits and Inspections: Periodic energy audits will be conducted to assess compliance with energy efficiency standards and accessibility requirements, identifying further opportunities for improvement.
Continuous Improvement: UTM will maintain a continuous feedback loop, where energy efficiency and accessibility data are analyzed, and improvements are made based on findings from audits, building performance data, and technological advancements.

Conclusion

This policy underscores UTM’s commitment to sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and accessibility across its campus. Through the adoption of green building standards, energy-efficient technologies, and a commitment to ongoing monitoring and improvement, UTM aims to set a leading example in sustainable and inclusive campus management. By collaborating with ENIT on innovative engineering solutions, working with GDA Sidi Amor to integrate biomaterials into construction, and partnering with STEG for energy efficiency design and continuous monitoring, UTM will contribute to a greener, more sustainable, and more accessible future for Tunisia. The university also remains dedicated to responsible planning for a green campus, ensuring that all residents, staff, students, and visitors can enjoy a sustainable and accessible environment.