Taylor Scott International News
Dh1.1 billion Silicon Park construction starts in Dubai Staff Report (abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com) / 10 March 2014 The project articulates Dubai’s Vision 2021 to transform the emirate into a smart city while ensuring that it remains on par with the latest global trends for smart cities. An artist’s impression of Silicon Park at Dubai Silicon Oasis. Dubai Silicon Oasis, or DSO, on Sunday unveiled a Dh1.1 billion Silicon Park that will offer a modern lifestyle for residents, workers and visitors, according to a statement by the integrated free zone technology park. Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, the regulatory body for DSO, launched the first integrated smart city project to be built in DSO, spanning an area of 150,000sqm. “Work has commenced, and the project will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2017. This project is in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world over the course of the next three years. The project articulates Dubai’s Vision 2021 to transform the emirate into a smart city while ensuring that it remains on par with the latest global trends for smart cities,” Shaikh Ahmed, who is also President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, said in a statement. The Silicon Park project comprises 97,000sqm of office space, 25,000sqm of commercial space, 20,000sqm of residential area, and a 115-room business hotel, in addition to value-added facilities that suit contemporary living such as restaurants, cafes, health and fitness centres, as well as running tracks and cycling trails, prayer rooms, a shopping centre and underground parking for more than 2,500 cars. Shaikh Ahmed added: “We are confident that this project will succeed in offering a modern lifestyle for residents, workers and visitors. The project’s standards are aligned to the Dubai Government’s strategic directions on smart cities that focus on six pillars: life, society, mobility, economy, governance and environment.” The project is compliant with the UAE Green Building Regulations and Specifications and the international Leed standard, and seeks to enhance environmental sustainability. The project will be built with green building material and control mechanisms as well as solar panels and double-glazed windows to reduce heat absorption. As a smart community, Silicon Park will feature intelligent solutions from charging-docks for smart devices on the street to smart pop-up furniture and digital play tables, as well as optimally-designed bus shelters, piazzas shading, and other public amenities. The Silicon Park complex will be completely devoid of vehicles. Instead, electricity-powered vehicles will serve as the primary form of transportation. A number of charging stations will be set up across the area that can be accessed by all residents and visitors with electric vehicles. The project will also include other means of transportation such as smart rechargeable electric bikes. The project will consist of a control centre that collects and analyses data and information gathered through the sensor devices available at the project’s site. Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, vice-chairman and chief executive officer of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said: “The Silicon Park project reflects the vision of Dubai Silicon Oasis to compliment Dubai’s ambition to offer harmonious living for individuals through endorsing smart criteria across the services and facilities that we deliver.” For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Taylor Scott International
Taylor Scott International, Taylor Scott
