Built-up area (BUA)
Total constructed area in a building or structure measured from the external walls of the building, inclusive of balconies, terraces and other projections, as well as any other covered spaces such as covered parking structures, circulation corridors, loading/unloading bays, basements, service floors, indoor swimming pools and any other permanent structures on the plot. Calculation of total built-up area shall exclude the following:
- shafts, courtyards and yards including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) shafts, refuse chutes and similar;
- non-covered outdoor landscape and hardscape surfaces and courtyards;
- lightweight outdoor shading structures such as pergolas and standalone canopies.
An example calculation using a sample plan is shown below.
Gross floor area (GFA)
Measurement used by Planning Authorities in Dubai to define the floor area ratio (FAR), where FAR is the ratio of GFA to plot area. The building GFA is the sum of the GFA of all floors, measured to the exterior surface of the external wall thickness and from the centrelines of the common walls joining two spaces. The measurement excludes external wall features such as corniches, brackets, and façade cladding materials.
Gross area (GA)
The floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of a building. The measurement excludes shafts and courtyards, but includes corridors, stairways, ramps, closets, base of atria (or similar voids) and the thickness of interior walls, columns or other features.
GA is illustrated in the figure shown below. The highlighted areas are those included in the definition.
Net area (NA)
The actual occupied area, not including unoccupied accessory areas such as corridors,stairways, ramps, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and closets.
An example calculation using a sample plan is shown below.
