Estidama, the sustainability initiative developed by Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) and Aldar Properties will jointly host the first Estidama Fareej Design Contest for university students in the UAE.

The contest that follows the announcement of the villa guidelines by Estidama during Cityscape Abu Dhabi in April, will engage university students in architecture, urban planning, engineering and related disciplines to learn and apply the lessons of sustainable design and construction for the design of a sustainable Emirati villa integrated in the local traditional neighbourhood – Al Fareej.

Al Fareej is the smallest unit of Emirati communities. It is a group of homes large enough to accommodate an extended Emirati family clustered around a courtyard or park.

The pattern is based on the traditional organization of Emirati settlements and reflects the importance of family relationships.

Plots can be allocated so that extended families share the central courtyard, giving them the proximity to one another that they need. Privacy is ensured by the cul-de-sac entrance that keeps out through traffic. Narrow, shaded ‘sikka’ allow pedestrians, especially children, to move easily and safely from one courtyard to the next.

Participating teams must submit a computer-based model on two-storey, multi-family, residential villa that will include living areas and an indoor space for meetings and gatherings, the organisers said.

The design must incorporate high energy efficiency standards and include sustainable design elements in the Estidama categories of Living Systems and Liveable City, Liveable Buildings, Precious Water, Resourceful Energy and Stewarding Materials.

University teams can register for the contest by completing an online registration form on www.estidama.org/fareejdesigncontest by September 24.

As part of the contest, Estidama will invite all participating students to attend a ‘Pearl Rating’ sustainability workshop.

Estidama’s Pearl Rating System is a voluntary program made available to developers seeking to achieve recognition for pursuing a higher level of green building and development.

On the same day of the Estidama ‘Pearl Rating’ workshop, Aldar will arrange for the participating students to visit the development plot in Al Falah residential community..

Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager, UPC, said: "Estidama reflects the values of the UAE and intends to preserve the physical, environmental and cultural identity of the emirate of Abu Dhabi as the essential ingredient of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030."

"The Contest will engage students across the UAE in sustaining Abu Dhabi’s social and cultural heritage and encourage responsible sustainability practices. Also, the Contest mirrors UPC’s keenness to involve youth in supporting, implementing and promoting Estidama guiding principles,” he observed.

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, chairman of Aldar Properties, said: "We are proud, as a leading responsible developer, to have joined Estidama in its community outreach initiative, Estidama Fareej Design Contest."

"The contest will provide students with a unique experience and opportunity to apply their academic background in a major actual project. It will allow them to know the challenges of design in practice and train them to be mindful of Estidama sustainability best practices," he added.-TradeArabia News Service