UAE is building green cities for future generations
The United Arab Emirates has long been heralded as the land of dreams. It is where people from all walks of life and ethnicities come to fulfil their destiny and change their fortunes. Real estate and construction play a huge part in making those dreams come true. But with the changing times and the current global climate crisis, there is an added pressure for the industries to do some re-evaluation of their practises. In this regard, I believe that the construction industry in the UAE is poised to play a leading role in guiding others towards a greener future through the transformation of conventional concrete used in construction. Sustainability has become a buzzword across industries, and the UAE construction industry is no exception. There is definitely potential as Dubai was awarded the ‘platinum rating’ in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Cities certification by the US Green Building Council in 2019.
The leadership and the government are on the right track by ensuring sustainability as the wider goal. It is crucial that at this stage we promote the right elements. These include adequate insulation, ‘green’ construction materials, efficient energy usage, and renewable technologies to name just a few. The challenge for major construction leaders, of course, is to look for alternative construction material without compromising the quality of the current landscape. One way to go about it would be to come up with alternative sustainable solution to the existing material.
The UAE’s National Pavilion for the 2020 Venice Biennale in Venice has some interesting experimental solutions, which will have minimal environmental impact. More than 8 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the cement industry. Cement is the second most used material in the world, and if a suitable and sustainable replacement to this material is found, it could have a significant impact on environment.
The UAE is also actively promoting the use of 3D printing for houses and buildings instead of the traditional methods of construction. It reduces carbon footprint through decreased use of manual labour. The path has been laid out through the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, through the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy which was announced in 2016. The underlying vision and aim of the strategy is to make the emirate a ‘leading hub of 3D printing technology’ by 2030. Furthermore, the strategy envisions that by 2030 atleast 25 per cent of all buildings should use the 3D technology.
Dubai Municipality has become the first entity to complete construction of the largest 3D printed two-story building in the world. The building is 9.5m tall, used one printer and three workers. The icing on the cake was the fact that the construction was completed in under record time. It is hoped that with government entities such as Dubai Municipality leading the way, it will be only a matter of time before the concept of 3D printing gains more traction with local companies. A case in point being the inauguration of a global 3D printing centre in Dubai in 2019 by Acciona which is a conglomerate group dedicated to the development and management of infrastructure and renewable energy.
The flexibility in 3D concrete printing allows creation of constructive elements, which are otherwise impossible or too complex to build. The process of automation eliminates mistakes and increases productivity. Construction through 3D concrete printing also makes the process safer as risky tasks are automated and human errors are minimised.
However, despite these proven benefits, the concept is yet to pick up steam. Experts feel that it is only a matter of time before 3D printing, along with other emerging tools such as autonomous machinery, augmented reality, inspection drones and generative design, will lead to a new era in construction and architecture. UAE’s previous projects are demonstrating that 3D concrete printing is the future. One such shining example is the 3D printed house which was unveiled at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI). The whole construction process required two weeks. The ‘Office of the Future’ which is the first 3D printed office of its kind in the world, boasts state-of-the-art 3D printing technology.
The technology promises to help reduce construction waste and eliminate workmanship defects which can have far-reaching benefits. It has major potential to cut costs in several ways. Another aspect is the reduction in the amount
Experts feel that it is only a matter of time before 3D printing, along with other emerging tools such as autonomous machinery, augmented reality, inspection drones and generative design, will lead to a new era in construction and architecture.
of concrete as companies will now be able to efficiently distribute the material. Productivity will also increase. However, the sector needs more research. And the UAE should take the lead role on this front. With the recyclable materials playing a significant part towards the concept of sustainable concrete, the UAE construction industry is poised to adopt the process of recycling concrete and achieve good progress in the battle against construction waste.
The good news is, in 2019 Abu Dhabi’s Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities made the announcement of utilising eco-friendly methods and materials in the implementation of six of its projects in a bid to promote the recycling of concrete waste.
Another positive development was the announcement in January 2020 by Bee’ah; a Sharjah-based public-private partnership firm of procuring sustainable construction material through recycling ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators, in partnership with UAE based start-up ceramic materials. Low-carbon concrete supply can also lead to sustainable construction in the Middle East, and it will also reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by acting as a carbon sink. It is thus a viable, versatile; highly durable material that is not only sustainable but low-cost as well.