Residents settling in as Dubai ‘benchmark’ eco city opens doors

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Residents settling in as Dubai ‘benchmark’ eco city opens doors Residents of Dubai are moving into the latest eco-friendly development to strengthen their efforts at protecting the environment. And Diamond Developers, the constructor of The Sustainable City – the region’s first fully integrated sustainable community – believe the project has set a benchmark for other developers to follow. “There are not many people living here, it is very quiet and everything from the solar panels to recycling is fantastic,” said Irish expat Adrienne Doolan, 52, CEO of Green touches, the second resident to move in. “I have lived in Dubai for eight years and other places here are very disappointing, because people do not care about the environment. Being environmentally friendly is very important to me, so when I found this city, it was meant to be.” The 2,700 residents who will eventually inhabit the 5 million sqft city will also be able to grow their own food on a farm and receive fresh herbs from two ‘bio dome’ greenhouses. “We can plant our own produce, which means I can grow my own own veggies and ask my kids to go pick it up fresh right before cooking,” Adrienne said. Canadian expat Ahmed Aftab, a 37-year-old project manager, said the city reminds him of his hometown. “We wanted to be able to do little eco-friendly things like recycle with minimal impact on the environment like how we did back home in Vancouver. Sustainable City allows me to do that and also teach my two boys the importance of living sustainably.” Phase one of the development on Al Qudra Road comprises a five-cluster residential complex with pedestrian streets, a communal area, five playgrounds, a central wind tower, solar-shaded parking lots and an equestrian centre with cycling and jogging tracks. Although only a few families live there just now, the number of residents is expected to increase by April 2016 one all 11 bio domes and the city’s community mall are up and running. The opening of the city has set a benchmark for other developers to follow, said Faris Saeed, CEO Diamond Developers. He said: “The opening of The Sustainable City to residents marks a key benchmark for sustainable living in the UAE as it is the first time a city aspiring to be a net zero energy community has commenced full operations in the country. mahak@7days.ae Read the original story at: Residents settling in as Dubai ‘benchmark’ eco city opens doors