Aakar Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaima is going green – according to a recent announcement by Aakar’s CEO and President Yadvinder Singh. The latest international green design and construction guidelines will be implemented in a $162 million luxury hotel and residential project.
“The initiative involves the implementation of the appropriate latest international design & construction guidelines such as Leed NC, Ashrae 90.1 and Ashrae 55,” Singh said, adding that measures would be taken to conserve energy and water resources during the designing of the project.
According to recent studies, compliance with “Green building codes” can increase the performance of structures by more than 30 per cent,, prompting some developers to recognize the role of the physical environment on occupant productivity and life-cycle cost of buildings. In line with this, Aakar said it would be implementing a sustainable design approach.
The developer is taking steps to transform the conventional methods being used at present by the real estate industry into a more sustainable form. The luxury development will offer a five-star hotel and a large assortment of freehold apartments.
“Amidst the booming calls of environmental awareness, it is not surprising that investors and end-users are now more attuned to the benefits of ‘green building codes’,” said Singh. “Our effort to implement sustainability is aimed at streamlining our processes while reaping the rewards of managing a high-performance structure. We are proud to be one of the first to adopt this massive environmental directive in Ras Al Khaimah, and we hope that this will start a trend among other private and public organizations in the emirate.”
With a landscape that comprises fertile agricultural plains, a coast, desert and mountains, it is essential for developers building within Ras Al Khaimah to adopt measures that will ensure the protection of the emirate’s natural resources. Singh says that by incorporating good practices that result in environmental protection, energy efficiency, water conservation and possible usage of renewable energy in the project, Aakar is not compromising on the water and air quality, or the degradation of the ecosystems.
“Venturing into this project within a strategic location is an outstanding opportunity for us to attract high-profile investors, and at the same time establish our commitment to adhere to industry best practices and benchmarks of a ‘green development’. As a developer, we acknowledge the current challenges with a high sense of responsibility and we pledge to take part in the resolution of the most pressing environmental concerns being faced today,” said Singh.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2010, although I do wonder if there will be any accountability of this claim of eco-friendliness, or whether this approach also extends to labor practices, which are currently under scrutiny in Dubai. One also has to question the “green-ness” and environmental impact of building a new island in the first place.
Aakar Marjan Island is a joint venture among Aakar Developers, Kayi Construction and Taranjit Sahni, an entrepreneur with world-wide expertise in the real estate arena. Prior to its union with the Turkey-based development and construction company, the leading Canadian real estate developer had launched the $55 million Canada Business Centre Tower, which is currently under construction at the Business Bay in Dubai.
LEED -The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System
