Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

In Brief

01 August 2018

Work starts on two school projects

Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), has started work of two kindergartens being built at a cost of over Dh85 million ($23.1 million).

The projects will boast a total built-up area of 11,000 sq m at Al Falah area and being developed as Package One of Phase Eight of Abu Dhabi Future Schools Programme (ADFSP), reported state news agency Wam, citing senior officials.

“The work on both the projects is progressing as per schedule,” stated Saleh Al Ali, the education portfolio director at Musanada’s Building Construction Management Division.

According to him, Musanada was keen on observing environmental sustainability requirements and preserving multiple energy sources.

“Both projects have attained the Two-Pearl sustainability rating stipulated by the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities,” said Al Ali.

Empower connects 40 buildings

Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, connected its district cooling services to 40 buildings in the first half of this year.

Total connected load during this period is more than 52,000 refrigeration tonnes (RT), a Wam news agency report said.

Empower also announced that it has awarded the contractors and suppliers with 25 contracts on new projects in different areas in Dubai, mainly to build new district cooling plants and networks.

“Our statistics of projects, agreements and contracts in Q1 of 2018 reflect the awareness of owners and developers of the importance of energy-saving and environment-friendly district cooling systems. District cooling systems have become an integral part of the planning and design of modern buildings in Dubai,” said Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower.

MRHE completes 500 homes

Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MRHE) has completed the construction of 500 residential units in Oud Al Muteena, for the third quarter of 2018, a media report said.

The units are expected to be distributed in September, as part of the initiatives of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reported Emirates news agency Wam. The new residential units were built under modern specifications and comply with the standards of sustainable and green buildings.

Perkins+Will names new director

Perkins+Will, a global interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design company, has appointed Andrew Mowat, a qualified Scottish architect as its new operations director.

Mowat comes to Perkins+Will with over two decades of experience, including nine years in the Middle East, where he has been involved with commercial, hospitality, medical, leisure and multi-use developments. He has worked for top-tier consultancies including Aedas and RMJM.

His new role at Perkins+Will encompasses resourcing, finance, revenue and operations. He will report directly to managing director Roger Wilson.

Road upgrade contract inked

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said it has awarded a contract for the upgradation of Al Qudra-Jebel Ali Lehbab Roads Junction to a multi-tier flyover providing free traffic movement in all directions.

The project encompasses the construction of two additional bridges and ramps to serve right-turn and U-turn movements and includes the widening of connecting streets, and a cycling bridge in addition to lighting works, rainwater drainage systems, and utility lines works, it stated.

Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA, said the Al Qudra-Jebel Ali Lehbab Roads Junction project will help ease the traffic flow on both Al Qudra Road and Jebel Ali Lehbab Road, a vital corridor for traffic to Jafza and Abu Dhabi, bypassing downtown areas.

The RTA, he stated, had accomplished 10 projects relating to the improvement of Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road over a 55 km-long sector extending from Lehbab Police Station to Sheikh Zayed Road.

Secure Parking seals deal

Secure Parking, a renowned car park management company based in the UAE, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Amano Europe for its Xparc smart parking management solution in the UAE.

Xparc is highly user-friendly and versatile, provides superior control and is equipped with the most recent electronic payment facilities, said the company.

Amano Europe is a part of Amano Corporation, a leading Japanese manufacturer of hardware and software for the parking industry.

Secure Parking is currently operating car parks for key developments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.