SmartCity goes Green

On 16 July, 2006, SmartCity announced plans to 'go green' by adopting globally-benchmarked environmentally-friendly practices that will make its developments highly energy and resource efficient.

The company will design, construct and operate developments in each of its knowledge-based industry clusters according to the guidelines of 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' (LEED) - the world's premier certification programme for sustainable buildings. All the construction consultants for SmartCity’s projects will be directed to incorporate LEED guidelines in the design and construction of its buildings.

SmartCity will partner with TECOM Investments’ subsidiary company Sustainable Design Consultants (SDC) to implement sustainable development practices in a range of areas that will enable it to achieve LEED certification.

SmartCity, a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, is seeking to create a large network of industry clusters that will support the growth and development of knowledge-based companies across the world. Last April, it signed its first agreement with the Government of Malta to develop SmartCity Malta. This was closely followed by the signing of another agreement with the Government of the south Indian state of Kerala for setting up SmartCity Kochi.

“As we embark on creating knowledge-based industry clusters in various parts of the world, sustainable development is an important focus for us,” said Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of SmartCity. “Environmentally sound practices benefit not only our customers but also the communities our projects are part of. ‘Going green’ also makes sound economic sense and enhances the long-term profitability and productivity of a SmartCity project. Drawing on the expertise of TECOM’s Sustainable Design Consultants, we look forward to building a solid foundation for sustainable development,” he added.

“We are very happy to partner with SmartCity to assist them in creating a framework for deploying sustainable development practices,” said Ali bin Towaih, Director of SDC. “Sustainable development practices could play a critical factor in SmartCity’s future development as it expands across the world. The adoption of sustainable development policies is essential to the long-term development of any economic project. The SDC team will work closely with SmartCity in aligning the operations of its projects to global standards of sustainable development.”

SmartCity’s “green” buildings will be highly energy and resource efficient, non-wasteful and non polluting as well as flexible and adaptable for long-term functionality. Knowledge workers in each SmartCity will be able to work in a comfortable, productive and healthy environment. In addition, energy and resource efficiency will considerably reduce the “carbon footprint” of the buildings, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the buildings in their daily operations.