With a spring in their step

Residents from the Meadows and Springs developments on the outskirts of the city vow to turn up the volume in a bid to be heard.

Scenarios including Mr Foxtrot dosing in the corner while Mrs Peterson reads the monthly report about park benches and street lighting will probably never fade from the wider image of typical village life.

But now, in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai, it seems the need for a new council era has raised its head.

Residents in the Springs and Meadows are busy working behind the scenes in a bid to launch a residents committee for the area.

The aim is to give both tenants and home owners across the Emaar development a voice to raise concerns and air their grievances.

While many Springs and Meadows residents have experienced frustration and serious problems, it should be emphasised that most owners or tenants are understood to be generally satisfied with their homes and the environment they will ultimately be living in.

The balancing act

Satisfied or not, it would seem that a residents committee is needed to balance the needs and obligations of the community as a whole with those of individual owners.

Ideally, the committee will consist of one member for each of the nine Meadows and 15 Springs phases.

Martin, who lives in the Springs, sees these early days as a two-way opportunity for the owners and Emaar alike: "In the short term, Emaar needs to respect that owners and residents have a right to be heard on issues affecting them personally as well as the community as a whole.

"In fairness to Emaar though, given the high volume of resident feedback, it cannot be expected to listen to a group of people with possibly limited or even no support.

"We hope Emaar will see the logic in moving with us in this process."

Nasir, a Meadows home owner, also dwells on the win-wins a residents committee will bring.

He said: "When this committee is credibly established, it'll make Emaar's position in resolving issues a lot easier."

"Once we're established, we're really keen for Emaar to engage in the dialogue as we sense that many of the minor complaints they may get are of a repeat nature.

"Equally by using a forum such as this, residents will see a prioritisation of issues for Emaar's consideration - the focused and consistent approach will make decision-making and communication easier and prevent frustration on the part of residents who feel that their views are not being taken into consideration."

Long-term vision

Springs home owner Maryam has a longer-term vision on what a residents committee will achieve.

She said: "I'm really proud of the home that Emaar has created for us. My villa, in particular, is generally of a high standard and excellent design."

"Currently, however, as owners (and soon-to-be title holders to our property), it is immensely frustrating as we're left on the outside with no influence over the operation or management of this community.

"In the long term, both Emaar and owners should aspire to model similar UK or US developments where control and management of the community is transitioned from the property developer to the property owners once all development obligations are fully delivered."

"Ultimately, Emaar will need to be willing to relinquish its control to the residents of the community - its owners. Establishing a credible residents committee is essential for this long term goal to be achieved."

Della, who lives in the Meadows, has a problem with what she sees as Emaar's lack of transparency at all levels, especially when it comes to the business of conducting this community.

She said: "We also own a villa in an established gated community in the US. It operates under a residents committee because this is the fairest and most effective way to spend the fees.

"Every year we receive a financial report on how maintenance fees collected from us have been allocated. The residents committee is ultimately accountable to us, as we are the ones contributing all the funds."

"As a credible developer, this is what Emaar should ultimately target. However it's clear we're a long, long way from that now, so let's get the basics in place first."

One area requiring the attention of a residents committee is typified by the anticipated opening of the Community Health Centres or Hayya Clubs.

A spokesman for the new committee said: "While the Hayya Clubs will include many health related facilities such as pools, steam rooms, sauna and gyms, the proposed fees for membership are perceived to be unacceptable or too high by many residents."

The announcement of the membership fees for the community health centres certainly came as a shock to Chris of the Meadows, as he was led to believe the amenities would be modelled after the Lakes Club which is free to members.

Chris said: "These are community centres, not beach clubs, and the membership charges, if any, should reflect this.

"As one of the earliest owner residents, I was led to believe the Lakes model would be applied across the entire "Emirates Living Dream" encompassing Meadows and Springs. This hasn't happened."

"We simply do not have the voice as individuals to be taken seriously on these sorts of issues with Emaar. Hopefully the residents committee once formed will ensure the correct level of attention is given to issues such as this."

Another top priority for the newly formed residents committee will be to tackle the perceived lack of consistency in many aspects of the community.

Haphazard growth

This includes the seemingly haphazard way that facilities are being added along with inconsistency in th