Quarter of Dubai buildings ‘to be 3D-printed by 2030’
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launches ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’
A quarter of buildings in Dubai will have 3D-printed elements by 2030, under a strategy launched on Wednesday designed to boost the use of the technology across the UAE.
The ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’ was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
It aims to make the UAE “a leading hub of 3D printing technology”, including in the construction industry, according to UAE state news agency WAM.
“Our key goal is to ensure that 25% of buildings in Dubai are based on 3D printing technology by 2030, and we will raise this percentage with the development of global technology as well as growth of market demand,” Sheikh Mohammed was quoted as saying.
Reports indicate that 3D printing technology will cut construction costs by between 50% and 70%, and cut labour costs by 50% to 80%, WAM noted.
“We believe that this technology is capable of transforming the construction sector by lowering costs and reducing the time it takes to implement projects. It will also help reduce manpower requirements as well as waste generated from construction which can be harmful to the environment. We will also focus on utilizing this technology in other vital sectors such as medicine and consumer products to offer goods and services at competitive prices,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“The future will depend on 3D printing technologies in all aspects of our life, starting from houses we live in, the streets we use, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear and the food we eat,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
“This technology will restructure economies and labour markets as the use of unskilled labour will come down compared to the current situation, especially in the construction sector. It will also redefine productivity because the time needed for 3D printing of buildings and products will be 10% of the time taken in traditional techniques.”
The value of 3D-printing technology use in the Dubai construction sector is expected to be about AED3 billion by 2025, WAM reported.
The Dubai 3D Printing Strategy will be implemented by many partners, including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Holding.
