Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Update

01 May 2004

UAE surfaces in The World
Dubai: The island representing the UAE in Nakheel’s ambitious project – The World – has broken the surface of the Arabian Gulf in less than six months of construction.

The UAE island itself will cover a total land area of 17,396 sq m, have a circumference of 501 m and a landmass of 600,000 cu m.
The island has been reclaimed to a depth of –14 m below the water’s surface, and will continue to develop to three metres above the water over the coming months as dredging work continues.
“With several million cu m of sand and rock having already been placed, the entire development has clearly begun to take shape,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Nakheel.
In addition to the UAE island, work is progressing rapidly on the islands of North America, South America and the footprints of the two protective breakwaters, he said.

Local firm wins $2.5m contract
Dubai: A UAE company has won a Dh7.89 million ($2.5 million) contract to carry out maintenance works on Al Shindagha Tunnel, said Dubai Municipality director-general Qassim Sultan.
The scope of the works includes electro-mechanical, structural, civil and electronic maintenance works at various facilities of the tunnel such as the main vehicles track, the pedestrian underpass, service tunnel, drainage pump rooms, control room, and power transformer rooms.
The contract also covers cleaning work at the tunnel, setting up a special storm-water canal, and repairing the concrete and ventilation fans, Sultan said.

Rising costs hit construction sector
Dubai: The UAE’s construction sector, currently enjoying a boom, is facing the pinch of the steep price rise in building materials, said industry officials.
Dubai’s total imports of building materials are estimated at Dh15 billion ($4.1 billion), according to industry estimates. Over the years, local cement and ceramics manufacturers have managed to meet a part of these needs, said a Gulf News report.
However, imports of building materials have increased due to the unprecedented boom witnessed in the UAE, especially Dubai. Prices of certain building materials – including steel and white wood – have skyrocketed while others have witnessed a moderate jump due to a number of factors, including high freight charges and an increase in demand in the international market.
Many contractors are expected to make losses, while the small operators are likely to be the worst hit, say industry sources.

New $7m library for AUS
Dubai: A Dh26 million ($7.1 million) library is being built at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) with a shelving capacity for around 400,000 books, it was announced recently.
Campus architect Mark Kirchner said the new three-storey library will be the second largest building on campus, and will give a grand façade toward the airport road.
“It will be three times the size of the existing library and house many academic support services for students and faculty,” he said.
The new library, located on the plaza behind the main building, with an area of more than 10,000 sq m, is expected to be open in time for Fall semester 2005.

Redesign for creek golf course
Dubai: Work is well under way on a project to redesign the golf course at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club (DCGYC).
The golf course,– Par 3 course and practice range – is being redesigned as part of a major redevelopment, which will include a luxury hotel and villas.
The design work for the golf course is being undertaken by European Golf Design, in conjunction with Thomas Bjorn – Dubai Golf Tour professional and winner of Dubai Desert Classic in 2001.
The golf course – due to open this December – will feature nine new holes, which will form the new front nine, with rebuilding work carried out on the existing back nine holes.
In addition, there will be 92 executive villas located within the development. The entire resort will be ready by the middle of next year, when a luxury 238-bedroom hotel is due for completion.

Mall to boast beautiful environs
Dubai: The Dubai Mall will boast landscaped environs which will provide a perfect backdrop to the landmark development, said Ibrahim Al Hashemi, executive director, retail, Emaar.
The three-km-long Burj Dubai Boulevard, dubbed as the Emerald Necklace, will comprise a 73 m right-of-way including pedestrian walkway, three traffic lanes on each side, a landscaped parkway, sidewalk and plaza, he said.
Attractions will include four main piazzas along the Boulevard, each featuring a distinct design and character. Aptly named Piazza of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water, each will host different activities to cater to the diverse tastes of the mall visitors.
The Tower Park, nestled in the shadows of the landmark Burj Dubai tower, will be an ideal parkland setting with over 15 hectares of land covered by lush greens and sparkling water.
An innovative helix design, which draws inspiration from the tower’s architectural form, imparts a distinguished look to the park’s structure, Hashemi added.

Areva lands $155m energy contract
Dubai: Global energy group Areva has won a contract to supply, install and commission two 400/132 kV substations at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz) and Bukadra in Dubai.
The combined cost of the projects, to be implemented by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), will be Dh570 million ($155 million).
The Bukadra project will take 18 months to complete while the Jafz job is expected to take up to 24 months for completion.

Saba awards contract to DFC
Dubai: Dubai-based realty major Saba Group said it had awarded the piling and foundation contract for its Dh170 million ($46.3 million) tower project to the Dutch Foundation Company (DFC).
The move kicks off development of the pioneering 36-storey freehold Saba Tower at the Jumeirah Lake Towers in Dubai.
A top official of the Saba Group said mobilisation of the work was under way to prepare the ground for the construction of one of the UAE’s first freehold office towers.

Campus at Visionaire opens
Dubai: The Campus at Visionaire, a building constructed in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone as a unique showcase of ‘technologies for the future’, was inaugurated recently.
The Campus at Visionaire, involving a total outlay of Dh11 million (about $3 million), aims to demonstrate futuristic technologies and is custom designed by the Visionaire Technology Group and supported by Techlogique Consulting Group, say officials.

Voltas to launch ACs in UAE
Dubai: Voltas Limited, from the Tata Group, will soon be launching its consumer and commercial range air-conditioners in partnership with Al Ghandi Electronics. A distributors agreement was signed between them in Dubai recently.
The launch of Voltas in the UAE is to be developed over two phases. The present, initial phase will include the launch of window air-conditioners, high wall split air-conditioners, ductable split air-conditioners, slimline air-conditioners and cassette air-conditioners.

Hyatt Dubai to get major facelift
Dubai: Work on a major facelift for Hyatt Regency Dubai began recently.
The project involves structural changes to the interior, including a new lobby, uniquely designed rooms and suites, an additional outlet, refinement of several outlets and further conference facilities. The process will be completed by the middle of next year, a report said.
The lobby will feature a new 24-hour cafe, a relocated reception and structural changes to the main entrance.

Slew of development plans unveiled
Dubai: The Dubai municipality has unveiled a slew of development plans for Al Barsha and Jebel Ali areas.
They include residential, industrial, tourist and commercial projects. An investment park at southern Al Barsha residential area is also to be developed as part of the plan. Abdullah Abdul Rahim, director of the municipality’s Planning Department, confirmed that current plans are to develop a 120-hectare plot, that includes 227 residential units and accommodating 42,000 people.
The investment park, strategically located close to Emirates Road, would feature public amenities such as markets, schools, mosques and public parks and new service roads linking the area.

Emaar woos Russian buyers
Dubai: Emaar Properties met select high income prospective homebuyers during the second Moscow International Property Show held in the Russian capital, recently.
A senior Emaar delegation presented the company’s lifestyle developments, including the Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches (Gazelle and Savannah homes), Meadows, Emirates Hills and the Hattan Homes, to prospective Russian investors.

SNC lands Dubal expansion deal
Dubai: SNC Lavalin has been awarded the engineering procurement and construction management (EPCM) services of Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal’s) Jebel Ali plant expansion.
The new expansion will increase the production capacity of the plant from 686,000 tonnes to 761,000 tonnes of aluminium per year.
The proposed expansion will continue to elevate Dubal’s position as one of the world’s largest single site smelter and a major player in the aluminium industry.

GFH unveils $1.5bn resort plan
Dubai: Gulf Finance House (GFH) has unveiled plans to invest Dh5.5 billion ($1.5 billion) in a theme park resort to be set up within the Dh18 billion Dubailand development.
According to company officials, The Arabian Legends Theme Park Resort will have five themed zones, offering an eclectic mix of leisure and entertainment facilities.
Officials say the resort will have the most thrilling game rides and attractions unmatched anywhere in the region, making it a unique leisure and entertainment destination.

Oud Metha Park design unveiled
Dubai: Preliminary designs for Oud Metha Neighbourhood Park, to be built over 1.34 hectares, was unveiled by the Dubai Municipality recently.
According to a report, the park would include several facilities including playgrounds for children, a vast green area, traditional irrigation canal or Al Falaj, small lake with water fountains, traditional well in the middle of an open piazza, in addition to shaded areas, cafeteria and public toilets.
An interior walkway will be set up around the park for people to exercise and jog. The park will also include a dedicated section for various sports such as basketball and volleyball, the report added.

Wacker, AUS to partner in innovation
Dubai: The Munich-based Wacker Group and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in the UAE have signed a research partnership providing closer collaboration in the testing and application of innovative building materials.
The objective is to establish binding quality and processing standards for the regional construction industry.
The venture focuses on redispersible powders for high-quality dry mortar mixes.
Aside from product research, Wacker intends to become more involved in training. In the future, this will enable students to participate in laboratory and applied-technology internships as part of an exchange programme, a report stated.

ABB to power Palm Island
Dubai: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has awarded ABB a Dh110.1 million ($30 million) contract for a substation and heavy duty gas-insulated switchgear to deliver electrical power to the two Palm islands.
The contract includes the design, manufacture, erect, test and commission of a turnkey switchgear station and supply a 132 kV gas-insulated switchgear, protection panels, electrical and mechanical auxiliary equipment and 20 km of 132 kV XLPE cable. It also includes all the necessary civil works.
ABB’s advanced substation and switchgear solutions will ensure reliable delivery of power to this high-profile project.
The contract will be completed in 12 months time.

Emrill awarded ISO certification
Dubai: Emrill has been awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification by Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI).
Emrill is a joint venture between Emaar Properties, the region’s premier property developer, and Carillion, a leading UK-based provider of innovative property and facilities management services.
Emrill Services managing director Patrick Sweeney said: “Emrill is committed to delivering customer satisfaction by providing high-value facilities management services.”