Dubai is set to host a conference next month that will focus on sustainability within the real estate sector.Green building is a hot topic at the moment, as governments all over the world start to realise that they must do more to reduce their carbon footprints.The UAE is a particularly apt place to stage an important meeting on eco-friendly construction, such is the level of building activity in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
There was a noticeable drop in the number of new projects being given the green light throughout the economic downturn, but it is clear that the cranes are now moving once again, as property investors have renewed confidence in the industry.In fact, recent studies have suggested that as many as 28,000 new residential buildings will be erected in the city by the end of 2013 – not to mention the huge number of commercial properties that will also come to market.According to AMEinfo, the Dubai Land Department has joined forces with the Arab League to put on the Arab International Sustainable Real Estate Conference, which will take place on May 1st and 2nd.The event is the first of its kind in the region and it will be held in conjunction with the Annual Investment Meeting.Sultan Butti bin Mejren, director general of the Land Department, said the government has been taking the issue of sustainability in the construction sector very seriously and the organisation has attempted to keep up with new initiatives to help developers reduce their impact on the environment.Meanwhile, director general of the Arab Administrative Development Organisation – working under the umbrella of the Arab League – Dr Refat Al Faouri said details of the Dubai Sustainable City project will be revealed at the conference.”Hosting this conference in Dubai reflects its position as a centre for promoting sustainability concepts and will help in educating professionals working in this sector,” Al Faouri remarked.
