Thousands of visitors descending upon the exhibition halls of Cityscape Abu Dhabi have learnt how key aspects of sustainable design in new homes built to Estidama standards can help them reduce energy consumption by at least 35 per cent, compared with a non-Estidama villa.

Sustainability was the core message emanating from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s (UPC) 784square metre exhibition stand this week at the three-day real estate event, which concludes on the 24th April at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The UPC showcased for the first time its Estidama Villa Experience Centre, an interactive display and scale model villa demonstrating real life energy and water efficient villa components that comply with the UPC’s Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS) – a programme for the sustainable design, construction and operation of Abu Dhabi’s communities, buildings and villas.

These include walls that allow 85 per cent less heat inside a home than non-Estidama walls; windows that let in 40 per cent less heat; air-conditioners that use 37 per cent less energy; low-flow taps that use 35 per cent less water than conventional taps; and samples of the lead-free, asbestos-free paint.

As the UAE capital’s strategic planning agency tasked with incorporating sustainability at the core of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Vision, the UPC continues to forge ahead with plans to create an Emirate-wide network of complete sustainable communities.

According to its recent The Abu Dhabi Planning Council: At A Glance infographic, the UPC has so far more than 10,500 villas in Abu Dhabi under the Pearl Rating System, which have achieved between 1-3 Pearl Ratings.

Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director of Development Review and Estidama at the UPC, said: “The aim of the Estidama Villa Experience Centre at Cityscape Abu Dhabi is to demonstrate how small changes to the way we live our daily lives and build our homes can make a huge difference in creating a sustainable Emirate that protects and enhances the environment and natural resources for present and future generations.

“It’s important that people see the kinds of energy-saving, lifestyle-enhancing design features incorporated into new residential developments in Abu Dhabi. Resource-efficient urban design is a key strand of the UPC’s Estidama programme, which aims to create sustainable, liveable villas, buildings and communities for all residents.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi is held under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Now in its eighth edition and organised by Informa Exhibitions, the UAE capital’s largest and most influential property investment showcase hosted more than 120 exhibitors from the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, India, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, USA and UK. 

Exhibitors supporting Cityscape Abu Dhabi on an official basis include Strategic Partner Department of Municipal Affairs, Headline and Official VIP Sponsor Ejadah Asset Management, Platinum Sponsor Emirates Steel, and Official Mortgage Provider Abu Dhabi Finance.  Cityscape Abu Dhabi returns to ADNEC from 21 – 23 April 2015.  More information is available at www.cityscapeabudhabi.com.

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