DEVELOPING AN ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR SIWAN ECO-LODGES IN THE EGYPTIAN WESTERN DESERT

The aim of this research is to have a better understanding of the real meaning of “eco-lodges” in hot arid regions and from that maintain the local criteria that are generally and unfortunately applied on any building typology of any location. Secondly, we look at achieving sustainable development of the Siwa Oasis through developing a new efficient and green building assessment tool based on credible weightings. The assessment tool is produced from studying the local context features. Moreover, the assessment categories, items and their parameters will be indicated through an ethnographic approach in addition to multi-dimensional (qualitative and quantitative) studies. A questionnaire was applied to 40 participants, 50% of which are experts and the rest, stockholders, laymen and environmental architecture students (randomly selected and who should have studied at least three environmental courses). Finally, the outcome of the research is a suggested assessment tool for Siwan eco-lodges (Siwan Eco-lodge Rating System (SERS)) that suit the Egyptian Siwan environmental, social and economic perspective.