The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MRHE) to enhance the sustainability levels of the MRHE's projects in line with the Estidama Pearl Villa Rating System (PVRS).

This highlights the UAE government's efforts to enhance sustainable development in various sectors and sharing knowledge between entities.
 
Initially under the agreement, the PVRS will be implemented on the Al Warqaa Fourth Villa project, which will be the first Dubai government-backed development to utilise Estidama.

Al Warqaa villa project, which includes 72 villas, is to be designed and constructed in line with the requirements of the Estidama Pearl Rating System, which is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 43 per cent.

The project will come up on a total gross floor area (GFA) of almost 20,000 sq m. The villas will be gifted to UAE national families, and construction is due to commence in fourth quarter of 2016.
 
In order to ensure the successful implementation of the PVRS on Al Warqaa, the UPC's Estidama team will send experts to the MRHE to aid in developing its technical knowledge on the PVRS.

In the coming months, the UPC team will provide specialised courses on the PVRS as part of its training programme on Estidama, which will also focus on best practice techniques for the built environment and developing a 'green' culture across Dubai's communities, in line with the overarching sustainability directives for the UAE.
 
The Estidama team will also work with the MBHE team to collaborate on the villa designs to ensure they successfully incorporate the PVRS requirements. Community facilities will also feature in the development, including schools, mosques, parks and open spaces.
 
The MoU marks the collaborative approach being taken by agencies within the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to come together to jointly meet the sustainability goals of the UAE. The exchange of knowledge is critical to successfully advancing the drive towards a more sustainable country.
 
Falah Al Ahbabi, the director general of UPC, said: "Leadership always supports initiatives that enhance quality of life, specifically in terms of sustainability.  Since the Estidama Pearl Rating System became mandatory in Abu Dhabi five years ago, we have seen a transformation in the sustainability levels of the villas, buildings and communities that have been developed in the emirate, which in turn will enhance the lives of all who live and work here."
 
"We hope this is the start of a long and fruitful collaboration between our respective organisations, and indeed, welcome all opportunities to share our expertise and experience with other emirates and across the wider region," stated Al Ahbabi.
 
Sami Gargash, the chief executive of MRHE, said: "The signing of the MOU with the UPC aims to achieve a fruitful and constructive collaboration between the MRHE and the UPC in applying the Estidama programme and reinforcing sustainability standards in the MRHE's projects, particularly in relation to green building systems."

"This agreement also aims at developing MRHE's projects and establishing a culture of sustainability in our society, in line with the UAE's general policies," he added.
 
According to Gargash, it will contribute in developing and qualifying the MRHE's technical staff and give them a chance to attend the UPC's Estidama training programmes and courses."
 
"The MRHE will comply with the MOU's terms and conditions by utilising the information provided in the UPC's training courses and lectures, along with issuing periodic releases about the agreed courses, lectures and forums. The MRHE will also provide technical equipment and required technical support, in addition to any other services that may achieve, in the long term, the success and continuity of the MoU," he added.-TradeArabia News Service