Abu Dhabi Week got a chance to sit down with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s director of policy and infrastructure, engineer Amer Al Hammadi, to find out more about how he’s helping to develop a sustainable future for the capital
In your own words can you tell us about Vision 2030?
Today, Abu Dhabi has a choice of how, when and where it will grow to meet the needs of its people over the next 20 years. Plan 2030 was formed with this particular thought in mind. We have a coherent picture for the future of Abu Dhabi as an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable community.
Tell us more about the Estidama programme. As the UPC’s mandatory programme of sustainability, why is it so important to Abu Dhabi’s future?
Estidama, which means sustainability in Arabic, is a system where we ensure that development taking place will conserve both energy and water. Following on the example of key sustainability systems already established around the world, we created the Pearl Rating System (PRS). As a unique system designed specifically for the Emirate, we took ideas about sustainability from around the world and converted them to suit Abu Dhabi. PRS rates buildings, communities and villas for target water, energy and waste consumption.
The Estidama training programme is meant to target construction industry professionals and train them in new buildings standards.
What have been your successes so far?
The UPC offers a free training programme to educate developers and train consultants in Estidama practices. Since the consultant is the first person who will meet the project owner they need to know about all of our requirements.
Training is on-going and we receive consultants from across the Emirate. We host classes each week and usually have approximately 30 delegates enrol per session. We enjoy it, as participants have valuable questions and bring very good ideas that are helping streamline our processes. We currently have 444 Building Pearl Qualified Professionals (PQPs) and 294 Community PQPs.
For more information on the classes you can go to: www.estidama.org.
The UPC launched the ‘E-Villa Configurator’ earlier this year. Why is it so important to keep the public involved?
With Estidama, we are targeting everyone, trying to get people fully engaged and learn more about how they can play a major active role in our sustainable development initiatives. We want to reach the majority of people and with today’s technology we can do so in more interactive methods.
The E-Villa Configurator lets you see exactly how to build your own Estidama house, read and learn more about the compliance requirements. At the end of the day it is an awareness tool that interacts directly with our PRS programme.
In regards to Vision 2030, how is Abu Dhabi leading the way to becoming a unique capital city? Has it borrowed from blueprints of other internationally renowned cities?
We’ve looked at a selection of well-planned cities worldwide to help shape our vision for Abu Dhabi. It really is about sharing experiences and being inspired by the most relevant examples and success achieved. As you know, here in Abu Dhabi we have a unique culture and we are very proud of it. The UPC looks at the best practices from around the world but also embeds the unique elements of Abu Dhabi to ensure those are sustainably preserved for the next generation.
How can existing buildings comply with new Estidama requirements? Will there need to be modifications in the future?
We have a number of projects in the works for 2012 and beyond including the existing building rating system. This system will be applied across the Emirate and will have a strong focus on reducing energy and water usage in existing buildings. Of course, when we say modifications, we will be focusing on things that can be easily altered, such as water-saving taps, sustainable lighting, efficient heaters and pumps, etc. We’re looking at all aspects of this in terms of implementation and hopefully we are expecting to get immediate positive results in return.
What’s your favourite building in Abu Dhabi and why?
There are a number of really well-designed buildings and amazing architecture in the Emirate, but the most impressive one to me is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. In my eyes, it represents the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in terms of placing Abu Dhabi on the global stage as a multicultural, 21st century modern Arab capital. As a piece of architecture, it has a combination of many special and unique design elements that are not found anywhere else in the Arab world - it is a symbolic piece of inspired art and a true icon for the Emirate.
Asides from work, what are your other hobbies and interests?
I enjoy relaxing with my family and I spend a lot of time reading magazines, books and watching documentaries about the changing world. I have a keen interest in history – modern, ancient, local and global. It’s fascinating to see that as the globalisation trend continues, the distinctiveness of our many vibrant cultures remains and continues to make our international community so rich in its diversity.
Sawaiba Khan
