Francois: There is great potential in Doha to develop into a more livable city.

By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter

A vision for developing Doha’s own “hanging gardens”, like the fabled gardens of Babylon, using green architecture, or ‘biotecture,’ was the topic of discussion and debate at a Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) seminar this week.

In a keynote presentation, renowned international architect and urban planner Edouard Francois outlined his vision for sustainable building that integrates nature and architecture, and its potential for Qatar; wherein urban spaces are enriched by copious vertical green planting and urban landscaping.

“The challenge for Qatar is rediscovering the outdoors. There is great potential in Doha to develop into a more livable city, with greater use of quality outdoor spaces through extensive planting to help ameliorate the extremes of Doha’s climate,” he said.

“This vision for Doha encourages an architecture that is aesthetically lush and tactile, with use of not only plants but also natural materials like wood and stone, and a rich diversity of plants and animals,” Francois added.

“Green architecture is not only about techniques, it’s about the right attitude, and the right values, to address the pressing challenges in sustainability that (are faced by) society today.

“Doha is really moving and shaking, and I am impressed with the types of projects underway here,” he said.

A line-up of local experts from various backgrounds and professions, including architecture, structural engineering, air quality management, environment and sustainable development, and green education joined Francois to examine the technical aspects of his vision for biotecture in Doha.

Biotecture is an urban concept that acknowledges that cities are not only made of buildings and infrastructure, but also contain, very often, a rich and diverse urban ecology.

Through techniques such as “green roofs” and “green walls” or vertical planting, whereby built structures are covered with vegetation, biotecture is used to encourage and increase the extent of biodiversity in a city.

Mark Ainger, a structural engineer with WSP Middle East, examined the elements of structural design and building construction that is required to bring Francois’s vision to life, including maintenance and pruning, external frames to support vertical planting, and considerations for airflow around the building.

Iñigo Satrústegui, chief executive of Aire Limpio Qatar, spoke of the likely improvement that biotecture could bring to the city’s outdoor and indoor air quality, while Cynthia Skelhorn examined the potential thermal benefits, and thus energy reduction, of vertical planting on buildings.

“The main point of methods such as vertical planting is to reduce air and surface temperatures, which also impacts building energy requirements,” said Skelhorn, who is a doctoral researcher at Manchester University.

“In Qatar, where temperatures are high for such a large portion of the year, any amount of shading of paved surfaces or reduction in paved surfaces through the use of vegetation will make surroundings more comfortable and more aesthetically pleasing,” she added.

Dr Anna Gretchting of Qatar University offered a landscape architect’s perspective on the potential of biotecture for Doha, whilst her colleague Dr Nobuyuki Yamaguchi discussed the ecological choices that are implied by the “hanging gardens” vision from a scientific and philosophical standpoint.

“Which is more environmentally-friendly? A beautifully maintained neighbourhood in the suburbs or a run-down apartment block in the city?” posed Yamaguchi.

The city’s older areas, he noted, are often much more environmentally sound, although the well-manicured neighbourhoods are in higher demand.

“Regardless of what science suggests as best practice, the future direction of Doha’s city plan will be decided based on human values and preferences,” Yamaguchi concluded.

The seminar closed with a debate on whether the hanging gardens of Doha could become reality.

QGBC director Meshal al-Shamari said: “This seminar reflects a key element of QGBC’s mandate – to bring together diverse areas of expertise from among our members and local and international experts to explore ideas for future sustainable initiatives in Qatar.”

Below: Renditions of what Doha’s own ‘hanging gardens’, using green architecture, or ‘biotecture’, would look like.

RALEIGH A far-reaching proposal by Republicans in the state Senate would slow government spending and affect the wallet of every North Carolinian as it slashes income tax rates and raises the cost of food, prescription drugs and more than 100 tax-exempt services.

Senate leader Phil Berger outlined the forthcoming legislation Tuesday, calling it a $1 billion tax cut that is the largest in state history.

“This is a huge change in the way North Carolina taxes its citizens, the way North Carolina generates its revenue to fund services that government provides,” said Berger, an Eden Republican and the Senate president pro tem.

It shifts the tax burden to consumption rather than income, a move that will disproportionately affect low-income taxpayers and families. A married couple with two children making $30,000 a year would pay an estimated $1,000 more in taxes each year, according to a calculator on a political website designed to support the plan. By contrast, a single taxpayer making $200,000 would get a $6,000 break.

Under the proposal: The state’s 7.75 percent personal income tax rate for the top bracket would gradually drop to 4.5 percent over three years, and likewise the 6.9 percent corporate income tax would fall to 6 percent. The estate tax, paid by only the wealthiest taxpayers in 2010, would be eliminated, and the business franchise tax would see a 10 percent reduction.

To offset the cuts, the state would apply a lower sales tax at 6.5 percent to roughly 130 services currently exempted, or essentially any service taxed by at least one state.

The list of nearly 170 types of services is based on a 2007 survey from the Federation of Tax Administrators, an industry professional group, and includes carwashes, landscaping, car repairs and professional services offered by attorneys, accountants, veterinarians and physicians. All together, the broader sales tax would generate about $2 billion in new revenue.

In addition, the plan would apply the 6.5 percent state sales tax to prescription drugs and food, which aren’t taxed at the state level. Nonprofits would also lose their ability to get a state sales tax refund on purchased goods and services. Social Security would face a state tax for residents who also draw other income. The proposal would eliminate many of the $9.2 billion in existing tax loopholes, but other exemptions would remain.

At the bottom line, the plan does not raise as much money at it cuts, leading to a $250 million reduction in state revenue in the first year and $1 billion less after three years. McCrory asked for a revenue-neutral tax plan in his budget; his spokeswoman declined to comment on the specifics of the Senate plan.

Uncertainties ahead

Scott Norris, a manager at Brown’s Alignment and Brake Service in Raleigh, is worried about charging sales tax on the labor his mechanics perform, saying his customers will pay the extra cost.

“My concern would be that it’s a shell game, they give it to you in one place and take it from you in another,” he said. ”

Berger touted the plan as fair to all taxpayers and a tax cut for the “vast majority.”

The plan represents a retreat for Senate Republicans who earlier this year announced intentions to eliminate personal and corporate income taxes, a proposal also floated by Gov. Pat McCrory while campaigning. And it is clouded with questions because the actual legislation remains unfinished as the legislative session enters its waning weeks.

Even in its more limited form, the measure faces an uncertain future with McCrory and House GOP leaders not completely on board with the Senate’s ideas. But Berger is confident the N.C. General Assembly will pass a tax overhaul this session.

“Our current tax system cannot be fixed by nibbling around the edges,” Berger said in announcing the plan

Change was overdue

The plan’s supporters said the overhaul is necessary to revamp an antiquated tax code and entice businesses to relocate to the state and create jobs. They noted the state’s 9.2 percent jobless rate in March multiple times.

North Carolina’s personal income tax rate for the top bracket is the highest in the Southeast, and the corporate tax rate is highest among neighboring states. The proposed cuts would make North Carolina more competitive with border states but not surpass them in all categories.

“The best way to fight poverty is with a job,” said Sen. Bob Rucho, a Charlotte Republican helping to push the effort. “What this is all about is creating economic opportunity and growth.”

Democrats agree the tax code needs to be updated. But they criticized the Senate plan, saying it represents a tax break for the wealthy and a tax hike for lower-income families.

“This plan actually amounts to the largest tax increase in North Carolina history on the middle class and working families,” Senate Democratic leader Martin Nesbitt said in a statement. “This plan takes those struggling the most and makes life a little harder.”

Even some Republicans expressed reservations. Rep. Tom Murry, a Morrisville Republican and pharmacist, said the prescription drug tax would “increase the cost of health care.”

Like many House members, Murry said tax reform is needed, but he stopped short of endorsing the Senate’s plan. “This is a top priority,” he said. “It’s overdue.”

(Raleigh) News Observer staff writer Dan Kane contributed.

Robert Kozol, in his early 30s, understands the so-called Millennial Generation and its inclination to hire professionals to take care of landscaping and lawn needs.

He wouldn’t call it laziness, as his generation of 18- to 35-year-olds works hard and furious on the job. But off-duty time often is spent on family, travel or electronic amusement rather than on replenishing the flower bed out back.

“Everything seems so computerized,” said Kozol of Robert’s Nursery, Lawn Landscaping in Omaha. “No one wants to get their fingernails dirty anymore.”

In sync are results of an online survey by Professional Landcare Network, which named Millennials and men as among groups more likely to fork over green to have a professional do landscaping and lawn work.

The trade association’s research that aimed to track U.S. purchasing trends in the industry revealed another key finding: Average spending on yard maintenance is expected to hold steady this year, while the biggest average spending increases likely will be on entertainment-type “hardscapes” like decks, outdoor kitchens and water features.

That trend toward upgrading outdoor structural settings — and therefore value to a house — in a still recovering real estate market stands true of consumers across the board, said Kozol and others in the landscape industry.

“It’s certainly true that in a lesser economy, more people are staying in their homes, and they’re fixing them up,” said Sean Mulhall of Mulhall’s landscaping, nursery and garden center in Omaha.

He said his company’s patio, walkway, fire pit and outdoor room construction has seen more of an upswing than its plant installation side.

Remaining a strong seller regardless of season, said Mulhall, are containers for plants and trees. In many cases, he said, creating a place for a beautiful container has led consumers to build a walkway or remodel a patio.

Mulhall anticipates strong May sales overall, as the late spring has delayed activity, especially when compared with last summer when droughtlike conditions put a damper on business. As consumers turn attention to summer and yards, Omaha area landscape and lawn service providers offered other thoughts on what is hot or not in their industry.

Bryan Kinghorn, president of Kinghorn Gardens, also has seen demand for hardscape projects, including modified front entrance areas and patterned walkways that enhance curb appeal and value.

“Leisure time is so precious,” he said. “When you have it, you want to maximize how social interaction takes place. Definitely your landscape contributes to that.”

This year, Kinghorn opened a landscape architecture design branch, called Dropseed Studio, to add another layer of expertise that opens the door for bigger and public structural projects.

Clients, both residential and commercial, want longer-lasting landscapes that create peace of mind rather than more work, Kinghorn said. His business strategy plays into Nebraska’s extreme weather swings by emphasizing Great Plains-friendly plants and landscape designs that draw from natural surroundings.

Consider the rain gardens that the firm is installing at Fontenelle Hills residential development. The idea there is to catch rainwater runoff from uphill homes before it reaches the sewer system. The gardens that absorb runoff feature large rocks and mulch-covered mounds dotted with sedges, Siberian irises, red twig dogwood shrubs — plant life that Kinghorn says is able to withstand unpredictable Nebraska weather.

For other splashes of color, the company might plant hardy crape myrtle instead of lilacs and peonies that are more dependent on a nice spring.

Indeed, Kinghorn said, some of his better landscape ideas come when he visits old Nebraska cemeteries whose trees and plants have been exposed to a roller coaster of growing conditions. “If they made it this far, then they’re probably keepers,” he said.

Kozol said his customers, too, increasingly are concerned with low maintenance. Bubbler-style water features without standing ponds are easier and more popular, he said. Demand for interlocking pavers (versus concrete) for hard surface projects is growing despite the relatively higher cost.

Fragrance also tends to be a big discussion point, landscapers said, as consumers want the multiple benefits of color, longevity and smell.

The online survey conducted in February for Professional Landcare Network called on about 2,200 adults. Eighty-three percent said they had a lawn or landscape, and of that subgroup:

Slightly over one-third hired a professional to do a lawn or landscaping service in the past year, and about the same number expect to in the coming year.

About 5 percent hired a professional last year to build a patio, deck, kitchen or walkway project and spent an average of $1,400. The average amount those same adults expect to spend on that type of service this year is double, or $2,900.

About 17 percent expect to hire out yard maintenance work in the coming year and estimate they’ll spend $700, up from an average of $600 the previous year.

About 7 percent expect to pay for landscape services such as the planting of shrubs, trees and flowers. The average amount they’ll spend will be about $1,200, up from $1,000 the previous year.

Males (39 percent) were more likely than females (32 percent) to hire a professional.

Millennials and senior citizens were more likely to hire a professional landscaper or lawn-keeper (18-35 years, 35 percent; 35-44, 27 percent; 55 and older, 40 percent).

About 42 percent of the consumers who use professional services say they do so because they lack skills or equipment; 15 percent say they lack the patience.

Contact the writer:

402-444-1224, cindy.gonzalez@owh.com