Green living landscaping projects in the UAE are transforming communities, improving the quality of life and delivering sustainable development, according to industry experts.

Some of these events will be showcased and discussed at a key event in Dubai, UAE, next month. The Landscape 2020 conference next month will run alongside the Outdoor Design and Build Show from April 13 to 15. The event will bring together local and international leaders in outdoor design and urban development, providing the only platform in the region to showcase innovative urban projects from concept through to completion.

The projects to be showcased will include Al Barari’s eco-friendly residential community in Dubai, which incorporates a series of residences integrated with themed gardens and lush botanic surrounds.

The combination of the natural shade canopy produced by planting, the abundance of waterways, and designs intended to control windflow have created a microclimate within the Al Barari development that can be 3 to 5 deg C below that of the surrounding areas.

Kamelia Bin Zaal, creative director of Al Barari, said: “In Dubai’s climate, it is important to have plenty of green space which reduces heat build-up and breaks up reflected heat from hard surfaces such as villas and pavements to produce a cooling effect within the community.

“Through the shade they offer, trees can buffer homes from extreme heat and reduce energy consumption and air-conditioning costs.”

“Historically, bedouins have always understood the importance of the oasis as they were fundamental to our survival so it is only natural that culturally we have a high regard and understanding for the abundance a garden can provide,” Bin Zaal said.

Meanwhile, Diamond Developers will provide an overview of its sustainable city project, described as the first community of its kind in the region.

Phil Dunn, landscape project director of Diamond Developers, said: “The concept of a sustainable city is born out of the desire to design and build a community that, in its day-to-day functioning, embodies the true meaning of sustainable development: integrating the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability.

“Sustainability is a key pillar of the Dubai Government, and we are also seeing a strong interest in the concept of a sustainable city from across the Middle East.” - TradeArabia News Service