Sama Dubai supports launch of Environmental Center for Arab Towns

The seminar was held from 14-15 November in Dubai.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry, and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, the two day event marked the official launch of the Environmental Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT). Founded by the Arab Town Organization (ATO) in 2005, ECAT is a scientific research institute which deals with environmental issues concerning Arab cities' natural resources and sustainable development, and is headquartered in Dubai.

As the only real estate developer supporting the event, in house environment studies manager, Dr Ghida Sinawi highlighted Sama Dubai's environmental best practices and wide ranging initiatives to ensure the conformity of its projects, operations and procedures to the highest international environmental standards. Examples were drawn from 'The Lagoons,' a landmark Sama Dubai development that has been designed and constructed to ensure harmonious existence with the surrounding ecosystems.

Dr Sinawi said:

"The environmental symposium was an excellent platform to share insight gained from our recent ecological initiatives. As developers that pioneer sustainable environmental practices, Sama Dubai places high priority on the judicious use of natural resources, intelligent management of the environment, and respect for the cultural values, people and the communities in which we operate. These guiding principles are reflected across all our landmark projects."

Dr. Radhiya Al-Hashimi, Director, Environmental Center for Arab Towns said: "ECAT aims to provide a forum for the exchange of environmental knowledge and expertise among environmental specialists, government officials, and concerned parties. Our approach involves bridging communication gaps and building on past environmental practices to address current needs and future issues of all Arab towns and cities.

"The purpose of this symposium is to explore innovations and developments in hazardous and non-hazardous waste management practices, discuss ideal methods for assessing environmental threats and observe the impact of environmental and health awareness programmes on reducing, reusing and recycling wastes."

Sama Dubai is committed to providing high quality real-estate products and services that are environmentally sound. In accordance with Sama Dubai's commitment to partner with stakeholders that safeguard the environment, it works in cooperation with the Dubai Municipality, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Wildlife Protection Office (WPO). The company's efforts to preserve the environment and drive sustainable development practices in the construction and real estate sectors were recently acknowledged by the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG).

'The Lagoons' has become an industry benchmark for balanced sustainable development and is one of the first projects in the UAE to undergo a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study.

The master developer's other environmental initiatives include the protection and enhancement of neighbouring Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (RAKWS) and its wetlands, including commissioning an environmental study in a drive to establish the sanctuary as the UAE's first internationally recognised wetland area and setting up an AED 10 million visitor centre on site to promote awareness about the site's value.