The Sustainable City is a $277 million modern application of social, economic and environmental sustainability in the built environment. As the first operational Net Zero Energy city in Dubai, the project is an international showcase for sustainable living, work, education, and recreation. Located in Dubailand and spanning over 450,000 square metres, The Sustainable City provides a complete suite of social amenities and environmental features. The first phase of the project is nearing completion and comprises 500 villas grouped into five residential clusters, a buffer zone, a central green spine, an equestrian club, and a mixed use development. Environmental sustainability was incorporated into the project’s master plan and detailed design.

The Sustainable City is a project by Diamond Developers who are also working with Heriot-Watt colleagues in Dubai on a project called Solar Decathlon and with our students in Dubai who have assisted Diamond Developers model options for cooling Phase 2 of the City development that will include “retail developments” a 143-key Indigo Hotel, a rehabilitation hospital for alternative medicine, the Sustainable City School (green curriculum), and an Innovation Centre (positive energy building).

Earlier this year, CNN Marketplace, Middle East covered; https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=b2Kd6gi8dYo&app=desktop.

On March 28th, the Energy Academy has invited Karim El-Jisr, Director of the Diamond Innovation Centre at Diamond Developers to present at the Second Annual Conference at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heriot-watt-energy-academy-conference-tickets-32086970994?.

Karim is one of a number of keynote speakers who will discuss cooling, radical innovation, training and skills development and the Scottish Government’s ambitious energy strategy consultation.

According to Karim, “there are many projects in the pipeline including a mid-rise residential project in Arjan (190 units), which also meets the highest environmental standards – it will also be EV-ready in terms of charging stations for its tenants and construction will begin in the coming month or so”.

We hope that there will be opportunities for research and development and possibly business partnerships to be realised through collaboration with Diamond Developers, perhaps in areas such as renewable energy (PV), cooling, automation (electric vehicles), construction and waste and water management, which is why we invited Karim to talk to us. With opportunities for research grants for global research challenges in these areas, you are encouraged to sign up to meet with Karim on March 28th.

If you want the Energy Academy to schedule meetings for you, in confidence or otherwise, please send a note to energy@hw.ac.uk and your interest will be forwarded to Karim.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heriot-watt-energy-academy-conference-tickets-32086970994?.