SmartCity Malta first in Malta to register for LEED certification

LEED, developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), is a certification programme for assessing sustainable building design, construction and operation. LEED certified buildings utilise and maximise the use of key resources more efficiently than conventional buildings. This, in turn, creates healthier work and living environments that contribute to higher productivity and improved employee health and comfort.

SmartCity Malta is already registered with the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which handles the accreditation process on behalf of USGBC. The first phase of the LEED process has been completed with the support of a sustainability team led by Bovis Lend Lease (BLL) Malta.

From its inception, SmartCity had announced plans to adopt globally-benchmarked environmentally-friendly practices to make its global network of self-sustained business townships highly energy and resource efficient. SmartCity has also pledged to incorporate LEED guidelines in all its designs and construction, while ensuring that consultants comply with the LEED guidelines.

SmartCity Malta's 'green' buildings will be highly energy and resource efficient, contributing to an overall reduction in waste and pollution throughout the self-sustained business township. The buildings adapt well to local site conditions which make them flexible and suitable for long-term functionality. Their efficient performance will have a positive effect on the carbon footprint of SmartCity Malta, reducing carbon dioxide emissions generated by daily building operations.

As project managers for SmartCity Malta, BLL Malta has also carried out the general prerequisite on site to attain the necessary credit for LEED certification on behalf of SmartCity Malta. This allows SmartCity Malta to present the unique and valuable green and environmentally-friendly features of a proposed building to all stakeholders and business partners. BLL Malta has also developed the scope of services for the LEED assessment, consulting, modelling and commissioning of all services to be provided in the first SmartCity Malta building, SCM 01.

Fareed Abdulrahman, CEO of SmartCity said:

"Sustainable development is an important focus for us as we embark on creating knowledge-based industry townships globally; a reason why the adoption of these world-leading sustainable development policies are essential to SmartCity, as well as to the other townships developed by TECOM Investments - such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village. Knowledge workers in each SmartCity will be able to live and work in a comfortable, productive and healthy environment."

The construction of the first SmartCity Malta building in Phase One, SCM01, is currently underway. It will consist of approximately 12,000 square meters of ready-to-use Grade A offices and is expected to be completed and handed over to the first business partners by 2010.

SmartCity Malta will also encapsulate shopping boulevards and residential areas, which will enable Ricasoli to become the region's premier business destination.