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Towers under construction at Dubai Marina. There is still no Dubai-specific rating system for sustainable buildings. Image Credit: Megan Hirons Mahon/Gulf News

Dubai: Residents will soon be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a home, as Dubai is currently constructing over 25,000 new buildings – including residential skyscrapers and villas.

The Buildings Department at Dubai Municipality are responsible in overseeing the progress of 25,124 buildings, which can be found in all corners of the emirate and at various stages of construction.

“When we oversee a project, it also means that we are responsible in supervising the engineering process of projects that have been issued building permits,” said Khalid Mohammad Saleh, director of Buildings Department.

Saleh explained that in the first half of this year, the municipality received 25,419 requests to carry out structural audits, which is an increase of 20 per cent when compared to 2015.

“In the first six months of 2016, we also witnessed the completion of 5,837 buildings. This is more than last year’s figures, when 2,906 buildings were constructed,” said Saleh.  

Eng. Abdullah Shezawi, from the engineering supervision section at Dubai Municipality, explained that inspections are periodically carried out on buildings under construction, as the technical and structural features of the buildings are assessed.

He also added that while construction at night is not permitted, companies during the summer have to follow the midday break rule from 12.30pm-3pm, and lost time can be made up for by working later into the night.

According to standard procedure as directed by Dubai Municipality, companies who want to work at night in residential areas need to first acquire a permit from the municipality before they start construction.

As per the municipality’s rules and regulations, companies are allowed to carry out construction work from 6am-8pm.