Sharjah has launched a $544 million mixed-use urban project. Sharjah Sustainable City will spread over 670,000 sqm and will meet the ‘highest standards of green economy and environmental sustainability’. The city is said to be designed to cover all three elements of sustainability; social, economic and environmental.
On completion, the city is expected to feature 1,120 eco-friendly and energy-efficient three-, four- and five-bedroom villas. The villas will boast ‘a modern-meets-oriental design in harmony with the unique architectural aesthetic Sharjah is known for’, according to HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The project is the result of a partnership between Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Diamond Developers. During the launch ceremony, Dr. Sheikh Sultan was introduced to the features of the residential units and other facilities through a 3D city model. He was also briefed about the eco-friendly technologies the city will be built on, and the environmental and health benefits the project will offer to future residents.
According to a statement from Shurooq, the project will include a sustainable school, which will promote the concepts of sustainability through school curricula. It will also feature a ‘Sustainability Experience Centre’ which is billed as a platform to host meetings and forums by government and academic entities, NGOs, as well as school and university students. The centre will focus on promoting awareness about environmental issues and sustainable living. The project will also include a number of public facilities including a community shopping centre, a venue to host social events, health clubs, swimming pools, cycling and jogging tracks, restaurants, nurseries, medical clinics and a mosque.
Sharjah Sustainable City is said to reflect the emirate’s contribution to the global movement towards reducing carbon footprints, slowing global warming and decreasing the impacts of climate change. It also reflects Shurooq’s commitment to promoting green economy culture in Sharjah and the UAE, while creating new opportunities for the establishment of world-class infrastructure that promotes environment-friendly and sustainable living, the statement said.
“In recent years, the standards and criteria of social development have seen remarkable change. Sustainability, natural resources and environment preservation, public health protection, greenhouse gas reduction are development priorities. These new standards are instrumental to sustainable development. They are an urgent global requirement that cannot be ignored,” stated Shurooq executive chairman Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal.
He pointed out that Sharjah Sustainable City will be powered by solar energy and will have recycling plants that will recycle water and other waste.
The project will also feature biodome greenhouses and outdoor gardens to support sustainable farming of a variety of fruit and vegetables within the community, he explained.
Diamond Developers CEO Faris Saeed concluded: “The project is the first of its kind in Sharjah, which thanks to its wise leadership, has come a long way in promoting environmental sustainability with a focus on preserving our natural resources for generations to come. It is remarkable to have the opportunity to apply experience and expertise that we have gained over the years, through collaborations with international research and academic institutions, to meet the emirate’s aspirations to create a world-class sustainable community. The Sharjah Sustainable City project is being built to promote happiness and good living, and is a shining example of a successful public private partnership.”