(Gulf News Report)
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter- Published: October 25, 2008, 23:33
Dubai: Reinforcement measures around Dubai's coastline should be taken to avoid any damage from rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Regionally, Kuwait and the Nile Delta would be severely affected by sea levels rising by just one metre, said Raymond S. Bradley, director of the Climate System Research Centre and distinguished professor at the University of Massachusetts.
"You have to ask how will development be affected by sea-levels rising one to two metres here. The Deira side of Dubai's coastline is particularly low and lying close to sea level. So serious infrastructure needs to be thought out along the coast," he said.
Sustainability
Speaking on Saturday at the Green Dubai World Forum, held to commemorate the anniversary of the historic declaration on Green Dubai 2008, made on October 24 last year by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Bradley pointed out how sustainable agriculture had been left out of the sustainability discussions going on in the UAE.
"The build-up of greenhouse gases can be seen everywhere," he said. The same pattern of tremendous rises in carbon dioxide can be seen in the Arctic poles or the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he added. Seasonal trends of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be tracked due to green plants absorbing carbon dioxide at different times of the year, said Bradley.
Developments
A minimum percentage of green areas including beaches and parks are being integrated in the design stage by Nakheel on their developments, said Chris O'Donnell, chief executive officer of Nakheel. However, no standards to include a minimum amount of solar panels or renewable energy technologies currently exist, O'Donnell told Gulf News.
"You need to be careful about having mandatory levels, or approaches to sustainability," he said, adding that some water efficiency technologies were being used while solar panels were built into shoreline apartments on The Palm Jumeirah.
Study: Warming gains pace
According to recent scientific research released by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), global warming is accelerating at a faster rate than climate change experts had previously predicted.
Latest studies shows the Arctic Ocean is losing sea ice up to 30 years ahead of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predictions. It is now predicted that the summer sea ice could completely disappear between 2013 and 2040 - something that hasn't occurred in more than a million years.
WWF's new report, 'Climate change: faster, stronger, sooner' combines new scientific data shows global warming is accelerating beyond IPCC's forecasts.
The number and intensity of extreme cyclones over the British Isles and the North Sea are projected to increase. Sea levels are expected to rise more than double the IPCC's maximum estimate of 0.59 metre by the end of the century.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Move to Reduce Congestion and Population Density in Abu Dhabi
Staff reporter (Khaleej Times) 26 October 2008
ABU DHABI — The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has come up with a strategy to reduce congestion and population density in the central area of Abu Dhabi city.
“Abu Dhabi’s population is projected to increase to three million by 2030. This will pose significant challenges in terms of mobility and transportation,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager of the UPC.
The approximately one million people living in Abu Dhabi city right now are concentrated in one area, posing immense challenges for commuting.
“The remainder of the capital is developed with palaces, villas, mosques, schools and other institutional and recreational buildings, while low-density suburbs dot the mainland,” said Falah Al Ahbabi.
By 2030, the UPC reckons, the land use structure here will change dramatically to create a city that will function well with more than three times its current population.
“We are creating the Capital City District, with a population of 3,50,000 to 3,80,000 residents, which will form a second centre in Abu Dhabi, located on the mainland in the area known as Khalifa City,” Falah Al Ahbabi added.
The Capital City District will sit on an axis that is an extension of the Mussafah Bridge alignment, being at the centre of the mainland Emirati communities.
The city’s centre will be expanded towards northeast to encompass Sowah Island (the new financial centre), the redeveloped Mina Zayed Port area, and parts of Reem Island. This will continue to be the financial and commercial heart of Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, the Capital City District — the new location of the UAE Federal Government, embassies and some emirate and municipality government functions — will become the seat of the national government.
New transport infrastructure will be developed to connect the city’s centre with the Capital City District.
In a single-centre city, traffic flow towards the centre in the morning would be too high, congesting incoming routes and leaving outgoing routes half empty. The opposite happens in the evening. In a dual-centre city, traffic movement between the centres would be nearly equal so that street space and public transport are fully utilised in both directions.
“By breaking the mould of the traditional city planning model, the UPC is promoting a new mindset through responsive urbanism concepts,” Falah Al Ahbabi said.
By 2030, Abu Dhabi will have a series of major centres of activity, in addition to the dominant central area of the city and Capital City District. The Abu Dhabi mainland will expand substantially with the redevelopment and expansion of Shahama-Bahia, Baniyas and Wathba, and with the development of new communities such as Al Falah and Shamkha.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com
ABU DHABI — The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has come up with a strategy to reduce congestion and population density in the central area of Abu Dhabi city.
“Abu Dhabi’s population is projected to increase to three million by 2030. This will pose significant challenges in terms of mobility and transportation,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager of the UPC.
The approximately one million people living in Abu Dhabi city right now are concentrated in one area, posing immense challenges for commuting.
“The remainder of the capital is developed with palaces, villas, mosques, schools and other institutional and recreational buildings, while low-density suburbs dot the mainland,” said Falah Al Ahbabi.
By 2030, the UPC reckons, the land use structure here will change dramatically to create a city that will function well with more than three times its current population.
“We are creating the Capital City District, with a population of 3,50,000 to 3,80,000 residents, which will form a second centre in Abu Dhabi, located on the mainland in the area known as Khalifa City,” Falah Al Ahbabi added.
The Capital City District will sit on an axis that is an extension of the Mussafah Bridge alignment, being at the centre of the mainland Emirati communities.
The city’s centre will be expanded towards northeast to encompass Sowah Island (the new financial centre), the redeveloped Mina Zayed Port area, and parts of Reem Island. This will continue to be the financial and commercial heart of Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, the Capital City District — the new location of the UAE Federal Government, embassies and some emirate and municipality government functions — will become the seat of the national government.
New transport infrastructure will be developed to connect the city’s centre with the Capital City District.
In a single-centre city, traffic flow towards the centre in the morning would be too high, congesting incoming routes and leaving outgoing routes half empty. The opposite happens in the evening. In a dual-centre city, traffic movement between the centres would be nearly equal so that street space and public transport are fully utilised in both directions.
“By breaking the mould of the traditional city planning model, the UPC is promoting a new mindset through responsive urbanism concepts,” Falah Al Ahbabi said.
By 2030, Abu Dhabi will have a series of major centres of activity, in addition to the dominant central area of the city and Capital City District. The Abu Dhabi mainland will expand substantially with the redevelopment and expansion of Shahama-Bahia, Baniyas and Wathba, and with the development of new communities such as Al Falah and Shamkha.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
Abu Dhabi Steps Up Drive to Curb Illegal Sub-letting of Housing
(Adel Arafah - Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
ABU DHABI — The Abu Dhabi Municipality has stepped up inspections of villas and traditional houses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia to curb illegal partitioning and sub-letting to families and singles, Dr Juwan Salim Al Dhahiri, Chairman of the Municipal Affairs Department, told Khaleej Times on Monday.
The landlords of such villas and houses, he said, were abusing the current housing crunch for short-term financial gains, posing a risk to the safety and security of people and property.
The intensified inspections against illegal partitioning of homes follows the campaign launched by the municipality early this year against such violations. Notices were served on landlords of 520 villas and houses ordering eviction of multiple families and removal of illegal partitions on their premises within six months.
Of them, 176 cases have been referred to the courts for action. Earlier, the court had handed down one-month jail sentences to three investors and fined each of them Dh50,000 for breaching the rules for letting villas and houses. The court had slapped Dh50,000 fine on several other landlords and ordered removal of the illegal partitions in their houses.
Omar Al Hashemi, Director of Municipal Services Office, told Khaleej Times that the civic body had obtained about 120 municipality court orders of eviction against offenders. Legal procedures are on to enforce the orders. The law governing construction in the emirate stipulates a jail sentence of not more than a year, plus a fine of not more than Dh50,000 and not less than Dh5,000 for tampering with the structure of the buildings and partitioning rooms without approval of the bodies concerned.
Al Hashemi said under the ongoing campaign against sharing of villas, the court grants tenants six months to vacate depending on the nature of the offence and partitions. The court could also order immediate removal of the partitions and vacation of the property by the tenants.
He said the campaign was launched due to the unhygienic living conditions in villas where multiple families are living. In addition, it poses safety threats to the tenants.
“Imagine 11 persons crammed into a small bedroom and sleeping shoulder to shoulder in unhygienic and dangerous environment,’’ he referred to one such case of violation.
Some of these houses, he said, are accommodating up to 50 persons, making these units a fertile ground for diseases.
Asked about the solution to the housing problem in the emirate, he said, ‘’The municipality is striving to solve this problem by building more properties at the Mohammed bin Zayed City and Khalifa City to provide residential units for all segments, mainly the low-income groups.”
Meanwhile, a comprehensive law is being drafted to fight the sharing of accommodation across the country; it is likely to be ready in a few months.
The law is being prepared by a committee comprising representatives of several bodies such as the police and judicial department. The law will stipulate the penalties for landlords, investors and tenants who breach the tenancy contracts and rent apartments out to single men and women.
adel@khaleejtimes.com
ABU DHABI — The Abu Dhabi Municipality has stepped up inspections of villas and traditional houses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia to curb illegal partitioning and sub-letting to families and singles, Dr Juwan Salim Al Dhahiri, Chairman of the Municipal Affairs Department, told Khaleej Times on Monday.
The landlords of such villas and houses, he said, were abusing the current housing crunch for short-term financial gains, posing a risk to the safety and security of people and property.
The intensified inspections against illegal partitioning of homes follows the campaign launched by the municipality early this year against such violations. Notices were served on landlords of 520 villas and houses ordering eviction of multiple families and removal of illegal partitions on their premises within six months.
Of them, 176 cases have been referred to the courts for action. Earlier, the court had handed down one-month jail sentences to three investors and fined each of them Dh50,000 for breaching the rules for letting villas and houses. The court had slapped Dh50,000 fine on several other landlords and ordered removal of the illegal partitions in their houses.
Omar Al Hashemi, Director of Municipal Services Office, told Khaleej Times that the civic body had obtained about 120 municipality court orders of eviction against offenders. Legal procedures are on to enforce the orders. The law governing construction in the emirate stipulates a jail sentence of not more than a year, plus a fine of not more than Dh50,000 and not less than Dh5,000 for tampering with the structure of the buildings and partitioning rooms without approval of the bodies concerned.
Al Hashemi said under the ongoing campaign against sharing of villas, the court grants tenants six months to vacate depending on the nature of the offence and partitions. The court could also order immediate removal of the partitions and vacation of the property by the tenants.
He said the campaign was launched due to the unhygienic living conditions in villas where multiple families are living. In addition, it poses safety threats to the tenants.
“Imagine 11 persons crammed into a small bedroom and sleeping shoulder to shoulder in unhygienic and dangerous environment,’’ he referred to one such case of violation.
Some of these houses, he said, are accommodating up to 50 persons, making these units a fertile ground for diseases.
Asked about the solution to the housing problem in the emirate, he said, ‘’The municipality is striving to solve this problem by building more properties at the Mohammed bin Zayed City and Khalifa City to provide residential units for all segments, mainly the low-income groups.”
Meanwhile, a comprehensive law is being drafted to fight the sharing of accommodation across the country; it is likely to be ready in a few months.
The law is being prepared by a committee comprising representatives of several bodies such as the police and judicial department. The law will stipulate the penalties for landlords, investors and tenants who breach the tenancy contracts and rent apartments out to single men and women.
adel@khaleejtimes.com
Smoking Ban Violators will be Fined Dh5,000 or More
(Sebugwaawo Ismail - Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
RAS AL KHAIMAH -— Violators of the ban on smoking in public places in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which went into effect on Sunday, would be fined Dh5,000 or more, said a municipality official.
The ban would apply to hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, sports halls, men and women’s salons and other enclosed public places, said Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.
The ban is intended to protect the health of non-smokers from second-hand smoke (passive-smoking). Special rooms would be designated for smokers, especially in hotels and shopping malls, he noted.
He stressed that like Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, which had successfully enforced the ban on smoking in public places, Ras Al Khaimah, too, would ensure that people abide by smoking regulations.
RAS AL KHAIMAH -— Violators of the ban on smoking in public places in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which went into effect on Sunday, would be fined Dh5,000 or more, said a municipality official.
The ban would apply to hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, sports halls, men and women’s salons and other enclosed public places, said Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.
The ban is intended to protect the health of non-smokers from second-hand smoke (passive-smoking). Special rooms would be designated for smokers, especially in hotels and shopping malls, he noted.
He stressed that like Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, which had successfully enforced the ban on smoking in public places, Ras Al Khaimah, too, would ensure that people abide by smoking regulations.
Drivers Face Dh500 Fee for Minor Abu Dhabi Accidents
(Staff reporter-Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
ABU DHABI — Motorists involved in minor accidents in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will, from October 12, be required to pay Dh500 to Saaed, a newly-established organisation engaged in helping road accident victims.
A statement from Abu Dhabi Traffic Department on Monday said, the Dh500 fee will cover only minor accidents. In case of major accident, the matter will be referred to the Traffic Court.
The Saaed is the first-of-its-kind initiative in the Middle East in the field of integrated system for management of traffic accidents.
Major Husain Ahmed Al Harthy, Director of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety Department in Abu Dhabi Police, said the fees would be collected from the person who caused the accident.
He called on the public to cooperate with Saaed personnel.
“The fee of Dh500 is very low when compared with similar services in other places around the world,” he added. The decision has been taken on the directives of Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in view of the increasing number of accidents in the emirate.
A statement from Saaed called on motorists involved in traffic accidents to move their vehicles from the road so that the other road users are not blocked. Saaed personnel are capable of reconstructing accidents to determine who caused them, even after moving vehicles.
It also mentioned that Saeed patrols were equipped with comprehensive systems for traffic accident management, which calculates cost of repair, rates of workshops and controls vehicle recovery services.
Motorists will be able to acquire a copy of the accident reconstruction documents from insurance companies through the website of Saaed, the statement added.
ABU DHABI — Motorists involved in minor accidents in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will, from October 12, be required to pay Dh500 to Saaed, a newly-established organisation engaged in helping road accident victims.
A statement from Abu Dhabi Traffic Department on Monday said, the Dh500 fee will cover only minor accidents. In case of major accident, the matter will be referred to the Traffic Court.
The Saaed is the first-of-its-kind initiative in the Middle East in the field of integrated system for management of traffic accidents.
Major Husain Ahmed Al Harthy, Director of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety Department in Abu Dhabi Police, said the fees would be collected from the person who caused the accident.
He called on the public to cooperate with Saaed personnel.
“The fee of Dh500 is very low when compared with similar services in other places around the world,” he added. The decision has been taken on the directives of Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in view of the increasing number of accidents in the emirate.
A statement from Saaed called on motorists involved in traffic accidents to move their vehicles from the road so that the other road users are not blocked. Saaed personnel are capable of reconstructing accidents to determine who caused them, even after moving vehicles.
It also mentioned that Saeed patrols were equipped with comprehensive systems for traffic accident management, which calculates cost of repair, rates of workshops and controls vehicle recovery services.
Motorists will be able to acquire a copy of the accident reconstruction documents from insurance companies through the website of Saaed, the statement added.
Beware! Spitting in Public Costly as Dubai Launches Clean Drive
Beware! Spitting in Public Costly as Dubai Launches Clean Drive
(Joy Sengupta-Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
DUBAI — A month-long campaign, titled ‘Say Yes to a Clean Naif’, will be launched by Dubai Municipality on Wednesday. The campaign is aimed at creating awareness about the unhealthy practices of spitting in public places, littering and drying of clothes in the balconies of buildings, municipality officials said on Monday.
“Spitting in public places is a serious problem. Many people, who chew betel leaves and tobacco products, tend to spit anywhere they wish without any concern for hygiene,” said municipality spokesperson Ismail Miladi.
Though there is no penalty or fine for hanging clothes in the open, municipality rules stipulate a fine of Dh500 for spitting and littering in public. The municipality will organise road shows and publicise the event in the print and electronic media.
“We need to keep the city clean. The Dubai Municipality is sure that the campaign will bear fruit and people will understand the importance of keeping their localities clean and hygienic.
“The municipality has placed several big and small garbage bins in the city for people to throw waste in them,” officials said.
The sale of betel and any of its derivatives is prohibited.
Those caught selling such products risk fines up to Dh5,000, officials said.
“People providing information about the sale of such products are rewarded up to Dh2,000 depending on the size of the seizure of prohibited items,” officials said. People wanting to report violators can call the municipality’s toll free number 800-900.
joy@khaleejtimes.com
(Joy Sengupta-Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
DUBAI — A month-long campaign, titled ‘Say Yes to a Clean Naif’, will be launched by Dubai Municipality on Wednesday. The campaign is aimed at creating awareness about the unhealthy practices of spitting in public places, littering and drying of clothes in the balconies of buildings, municipality officials said on Monday.
“Spitting in public places is a serious problem. Many people, who chew betel leaves and tobacco products, tend to spit anywhere they wish without any concern for hygiene,” said municipality spokesperson Ismail Miladi.
Though there is no penalty or fine for hanging clothes in the open, municipality rules stipulate a fine of Dh500 for spitting and littering in public. The municipality will organise road shows and publicise the event in the print and electronic media.
“We need to keep the city clean. The Dubai Municipality is sure that the campaign will bear fruit and people will understand the importance of keeping their localities clean and hygienic.
“The municipality has placed several big and small garbage bins in the city for people to throw waste in them,” officials said.
The sale of betel and any of its derivatives is prohibited.
Those caught selling such products risk fines up to Dh5,000, officials said.
“People providing information about the sale of such products are rewarded up to Dh2,000 depending on the size of the seizure of prohibited items,” officials said. People wanting to report violators can call the municipality’s toll free number 800-900.
joy@khaleejtimes.com