The Energy and Environment Park (Enpark), a member of Tecom Investments, has unveiled key components of its master plan, combining environmental, social and economical elements to create a model reflecting Dubai’s benchmark for sustainable development.

Launched in June 2007 as a comprehensive eco-friendly free zone for both commercial and residential use, Enpark seeks to provide an enabling platform for sustainable business operations through the integration of eco-friendly policies, standards, education programmes, and technologies.

With a gross floor area of approximately 10 million sq ft, to host a population of 43,000 including 6,000 residents, Enpark’s infrastructure design will be finalised by the end of this year. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion by 2010, said an Enpark official.

“As a commercial venture that is set to significantly reduce the ecological footprint, Enpark aims to demonstrate that it is possible to have lower overall lifecycle costs and increased energy savings by adopting a sustainable culture, while assuring a high return on investment for business partners and investors," Ali Bin Towaih, executive director of Enpark, said.

“We have been able to attract major companies to Enpark solely on the strength of our certified team of professionals, who have successfully highlighted the economic viability of the free zone. Further details of our partners and new developments will be announced in the near future.”

The Enpark initiative comes at a time when the UAE is witnessing skyrocketing energy consumption rates.  With its spectrum of implementable green solutions, Enpark aims to mitigate the rising utility costs, and educate the community that it is possible to go green and still enjoy the luxurious elements of life, Towaih said.

Enpark is currently working with a group of leading energy and environment companies to ensure the endorsement of best practices and policies across all elements in the design and construction of the park.

Conforming to Leed certification guidelines, Enpark will consist of several key components. The commercial zone will include green office spaces, retail and boutique manufacturing facilities as well as showrooms for energy saving technologies.

It will also house energy efficient residential units as well as a ‘green’ hotel and conference areas.

The residential area will offer several real estate options, endorsing sustainable community living. An academic zone at Enpark will boast of schools and institutions offering renewable energy and environment related education programmes.

A sustainable development research centre will demonstrate latest renewable energy and sustainable technology applications.

As part of its infrastructure, Enpark will utilise water treatment technologies in its water reuse facilities. It will also include waste management units and provide clean and efficient transportation amenities.

State-of-the-art intelligent building systems, including energy management control, renewable energy production monitoring, fire alarm monitoring, security systems and district cooling services will feature as integral elements of the park.

Enpark’s infrastructure will allow residents, workers and visitors to enjoy access to a vast expanse of open space while walking, cycling or using green transportation in a distinctively natural environment, Towaih said.-TradeArabia News Service