It may be one of hundreds of new vast sand coloured mansions under construction in the desert, but to developers Sorouh Real Estate and Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, the first completed home in the 1,022-villa Al Ghareba project near Al Ain is 100 per cent green.
The new prototype villa, Abu Dhabi's first Emirati housing village to comply with the Government's environmental Estidama standards, is designed for an Emirati family of eight and was unveiled by UPC and Sorouh last week.
Earning a prized Estidama Pearl rating level two, the villa can boast some impressive building specifications: natural ventilation capacity is 25 per cent better than average, a solar water system produces about 80 per cent of its hot water, and closer fitting windows and doors mean energy performance is 20 per cent improved. Its air-conditioning unit is more efficient and water usage is 30 per cent lower.
The development has been planned with each villa built within walking distance of schools, shops and the mosque.
And even the construction process has been made that little bit more clean and green. Unlike most developers in the UAE who dump waste building materials in the desert, UPC and Sorouh say that half their waste will be sent to be recycled.
But the developers admit that property development in the UAE still has a long way to go before it can really meet its sustainable goals. For a start, Al Ghareba's Estidama Pearl rating is only the second highest on a five-tier system.
Then there's the question of getting residents to live in the green way the developers hope.
"Nobody has ever done an Estidama village yet," said Edwin Young, Estidama programme manager at Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council.
"Next year they will all come on stream so eventually we'll see what the real behavioural pattern is. But I would love to see somebody walking to school rather than being driven. I would love to see people walking to the mosque. That's what it's all about."
And then there's the tricky problem that some of the infrastructure necessary to be this green just isn't set up yet.
"The bins which we've got outside here are bins for the future," added Mr Young. "We've future proofed these bins because the Centre for Waste Management aren't there yet... [Compost collection] doesn't exist at the moment but in two or three years it will."
lbarnard@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More coverage from the Future Forum
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
