Inside Dubai’s Sustainable City community: What makes it different
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
- As the name suggests, The Sustainable City is one of the emirate’s popular eco-friendly communities.
- Established in 2015, the community is the first zero-energy development in the UAE located off Al Qudra Road in Dubai.
Dubai: It’s a vibrant live-and-work space, with an eye for the future. And it’s right here, right now — a dream-turned-into-reality sort of story in Dubai.
It’s a poster community for residential planning, modern yet eco-friendly. Each of the 500 villas within the 113-acre development is fitted with rooftop solar panels, so the community generates its own power. That’s just for starters.
Urban farm, 11 ‘bio-domes’
What adds to its distinction is this: each residential cluster has an urban farm — together forming a network of 11 “bio-domes” — connected to the rest of the community. These food-generators represent the central “spine” of the community, in what resembles a Martian terraform.
Moreover, every water fixture in all the villas and the 89 apartments in the development is fitted with low-flow gear that helps curb water use.
The L-shaped villas are designed to maximise daylighting by orienting windows north while reducing solar heat gain.
In addition, the insulated UV reflective walls, roofs and windows reduce air-conditioning loads and power consumption. Parking areas, covered in photovoltaic cells, generate additional electricity. The community’s jogging and cycling tracks are made of recycled tires.
For its residents, The Sustainable City is a safe haven away from the bustle of the city. Among bankers, it has inspired “green mortgages” too.
Sustainability credentials
All told, the community’s green solutions help save roughly 8,000 tonnes of CO2e saved every year— equivalent to taking 853 cars off the road for a year.
The goal of reducing ecological footprint and increasing community well-being is a concern shared by community members representing about 65 nationalities.
It’s a thriving home to thousands. With less incentive for car use, it’s remarkably green and quiet —but busy in its own distinct way.
100% occupancy
The development, currently 100 per cent occupied, has a distinct eco-lifestyle consciousness, and a close-knit community vibe.
“More than half of the residents have started using cars less since moving to the community,” said Marwa Nahlawi, Head of Urban Planning at Diamond Developers.
In a survey, each resident identified names of at least 15 neighbours — implying the community members took the effort to know each other.
Another 73 per cent of children in the community made new friends in the community, said Nahlawi.
The survey shows more than 70 per cent of owners are acutely conscious in their power and water consumption.
“Thirty per cent of the population living in the City are homeowners. Ten of these owners have turned business owners running their own shops (in the “Plaza”). Moreover, 56 per cent of the businesses in the plaza is owned by residents,” said Nahlawi.
Sustainable living, working in the City
Residents celebrate their eco-friendly lifestyle. Ukranian expat Natalia Gataullina, who live in a three-bedroom villa at The Sustainable City, said she was drawn to the community programme and decided to live there.
“We know our neighbours, do not have to take our cars out a lot. We live in a safe and secure environment. I could not ask for more.”
Vladimir Dunisijevic, a resident of a two-bedroom apartment in the TSC, said he has been living in the community for the last six years.
“At first, I stayed in a studio and then moved to a one bedroom apartment, now I am living in a two-bedroom apartment. I cannot imagine living anywhere else,” said Dunisijevic who has opened an eco-focussed gym in the community.
“I don’t need to get out of the community a lot. My work and home is all here in the community. This is a huge money-saver for me, as I don’t need to take my car out and spend on fuel a lot.”
Running a sustainable business
Karam Hamadeh, owner of a three-bedroom villa, has been living in the community for the past 7 years. Inspired by the idea of a sustainable community, he has taken his passion to the next level by setting up a small project called Cycology — which supplies bicycles, skateboards, accessories. It also offers a rental service, in addition to bicycle maintenance service.
“My neighbour decided to start this as we have been living in the city for long and felt the need to run a sustainable concept in place. Cycling is a need in the community as we all strive to be car-free.
“We designed this concept so our cycle owners did not have to leave our community to have their bicycles fixed. As residents, we want all members to stay within TSC as much as possible.”
Monofloral honey
Ala’a Mustafa, managing director and partner in “Myhive” honey shop, is another resident-entrepreneur at the Sustainable City.
“The community inspired the concept behind Myhive,” he explained, adding that the monofloral honey is taken directly from the beehives. “They’re collected by our honeybees from local areas and is 100 per cent natural.”
Mustafa said: “This sustainable lifestyle is a win-win for residents living a sustainable journey both at work and at home, located in the same place. You don’t hear much about this kind of lifestyle (elsewhere). So truly, we are living in a very rewarding community.”
Given the success of The Sustainable City concept in Dubai, Diamond Developers is replicating the eco-driven concept in Sharjah and Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi.
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan
Sharjah Sustainable City
The Sharjah Sustainable City — with a total of 1,252 units — is 95 per cent complete, according to developers.
“The project’s phase one handover was completed in September. “Families are already living here. Phase 3 was launched in October, with phase 2 approaching completion and handover next year,” said Nahlawi.
In Abu Dhabi, construction of The Sustainable City YAS is expected to kick off soon. Diamond’s Al Nahlawi stated the project will be completed within 30 months following ground-breaking.
Facilities inside The Sustainable City-Dubai
Greenhouses: 11 “biodomes”
Nursery: Creakids
School: Fairgreen International School
Autism & Rehabilitation Center: Sanad Village
Institute: SEE Institute (a net zero carbon building)
Holiday Homes: The Sustainable City Homes (51 short-stay apartments)
Knowledge Hub
Equestrian Club: 4-km horse track and a riding arena
Clinics: Chiron Clinic, Core Care
Plaza: Offices, apartments, supermarket, pharmacy, 8 restaurants, hair salon & spa, art and music center, gym, and others
Farm: Farming plots, animal sanctuary
Others: Cycling | jogging tracks | Dog Park | Gyms | Swimming pool | Playground
Rents:
A corner unit with four-bedrooms, four baths, garden area has an asking a rent for Dh300,000 annually. Villas are equipped with energy-efficient AC, home appliances, and LED lighting to reduce electricity consumption.
Location:
Off Umm Suqeim Road, by the Dubai Studio City and next to Arabian Ranches 2
Bus route:
Dubai RTA buses route No. F32 (connects to Dubai Metro at (MOE station) & J02 (IMPZ via Ranches to Sports City)
