UAE | Environment
First ecologically friendly shopping centre to be built
A shopping mall in Mirdiff planned for next year is being built in line with environmental standards and is dubbed the first ecologically friendly shopping centre in the region.
- By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:43 August 20, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
- The shopping centre will use materials and design forms that minimise the negative impact on the environment.
Dubai: A shopping mall in Mirdiff planned for next year is being built in line with environmental standards and is dubbed the first ecologically friendly shopping centre in the region.
Mirdiff City Centre, a Majid Al Futtaim project has incorporated US Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards from design through to the construction stage to make the building as sustainable as possible.
The mall has developed a sediment and erosion plan to reduce soil erosion and protect air quality and includes storage racks and changing rooms to encourage use of bicycles. Facilities to recycle paper, glass , plastics and metals will be provided and there will be a covered parking lot and a reflective mall roof to reduce a "Heat Island" effect.
The centre will be 183,400 square metres with approximately 430 outlets, as well as a Carrefour Hypermarket and a 14 screen multiplex cinema. It will have 7,000 car parking spaces.
Inside the building, daylight will be played with to reduce artificial lighting. The mall building envelope has been designed to significantly reduce the cooling load which in turn reduces the cooling system energy demand. Outside native and adaptive plants for landscaping will be used to reduce the irrigation requirements.
"Mirdiff City Centre is our flagship pilot scheme aiming to implement the LEED procedures and protocols therefore allowing us to witness the benefits of eco-friendly construction techniques," said Shahram Shamsaee, Senior Vice-President, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls.
Mandatory
Green buildings are built on a voluntary basis around the world but in the UAE it became mandatory for all new buildings to abide to new legislation and standards from January 2008, in line with directives from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
In order to achieve a rating, new projects have to comply with LEED protocols, both in terms of design tactics - to reduce energy and water demand - and in the construction phase.
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
