DUBAI // Many Emiratis are building homes thanks to Government land grants but few are embracing eco-friendly construction.
Khalid Al Ali has been working on his new home in Al Barsha for eight years and no one has ever discussed incorporating green building solutions.
"Nobody suggested to me any of these solutions back when I was designing my house, not even the consultant," said Mr Al Ali.
"Building a house is such a stressful undertaking and you worry about doing something new, especially since construction companies here might not know how to properly install it and you end up wasting a lot of time and money."
Green building practices first gained momentum in the 1970s thanks to a rise in environmental awareness around the world. Since then they have become a buzzword in the global construction sector.
Solutions such as greywater systems, roof gardens, solar panels, and water-flow limiters are constantly promoted in building design and strongly encouraged by the UAE government, particularly among commercial builders.
But for people such as Mr Al Ali, there is little incentive.
"The only green thing I have, besides what the municipality requires, are LED lights to save energy," he said.
Mohammed Mazin Hanana, an architect at EMSquare Engineering Consultants, which specialises in designing modern villas, said they rarely had anyone asking for green solutions.
"Of the more than 180 villas we've built in the UAE, four have chosen to implement green building solutions," he said.
Dubai Municipality officials understand it will be an uphill struggle.
The civic body co-hosted the 'My Green Home' seminar last month with the Society of Engineers.
The event aimed to address the need for more green solutions and sustainable designs, particularly in a desert environment.
"We are trying to change people's outlook towards green initiatives," said Yousif Abdulla Mohammed, head of the building permits section of Dubai Municipality.
"People are always the enemies of what they don't understand, so we need to increase awareness of just how important it is for them to embrace green designs."
He said there were very few villas with green systems, but change was coming slowly.
"Things are very different than they were back in 2003," Mr Mohammed said. "People were set in their ways about how they wanted their homes and they were very resistant to accepting the idea of spending a little extra now to save in the long run."
The municipality has made thermal insulation mandatory for all buildings, including villas, since 2003 and recently made it mandatory to use a solar water heater.
"With these rules in place, people are beginning to realise the practicality of green design," Mr Mohammed said.
He added that while the municipality was only just scratching the surface, he wanted to give people a chance to take the initiative of using green designs in their home.
"We have long-term plans of making more green systems mandatory, but we want to see how people and the market react and then judge which systems should be made mandatory."
Mr Hanana represented his firm at the municipal seminar.
"This is a great idea," he said. "But of all the visitors we've met, only one seemed serious about using green solutions."
Faisal Ahmad, 32, began building his home in Al Barsha last July and explained that, while he supported the idea of sustainable living, the solutions on offer were unaffordable for most people.
"I'm trying to squeeze every fil I can from my budget on this house," said the facilities manager.
His entire project is funded by a bank loan and he wants to get the most bang for his buck.
"I'm very limited at what I can do to the design and I want to get all the basic facilities addressed first. I'd rather not sacrifice necessity for efficiency."
malkhan@thenational.ae
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
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Rating: 1/5
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
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German intelligence warnings
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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The specs
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UAE squad
Men's draw: Victor Scvortov and Khalifa Al Hosani, (both 73 kilograms), Sergiu Toma and Mihail Marchitan (90kg), Ivan Remarenco (100kg), Ahmed Al Naqbi (60kg), Musabah Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Hosani (66kg)
Women’s draw: Maitha Al Neyadi (57kg)
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The specs
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On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970