Environmental impact of Dubai's rapid economic growth and tourism development

Facilities Management in Dubai

Facilities Management

This work will discuss the fact that environmental pressures from legislators, consumers, investors, neighbors, and employees have intensified over recent years. The real competitive advantage is possibly held by those who are making environmental responsibility integral to their overall corporate strategy, both in management of existing operations and in the planning of new developments. The size and growth of the hospitality industry in Dubai means its overall impact on the environment could be substantial. This will be examined in regards to the pressures that corporation and individuals operations face and will cite specific examples of hotel and tourist developments in Dubai.

ECONOMIC GROWTH of DUBAI & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The work of Diala Saadeh (2007) notes in the work entitled: "Environment Kay Challenge for Booming Dubai" that Dubai is inclusive of "Manmade lakes and islands, air-conditioned malls and an indoor ski slope..." And that following years of rapid growth that Dubai ahs been transformed from a desert backwater into a "trade and tourism hub, the Gulf emirate is waking up to the environmental impact of 24-hour construction and suffocating traffic. Carbon dioxide per capita in the United Arab Emirates is 44 times more than India and 15 times more than China. Experts say there are 600 cars for every 1,000 people in Dubai. A large new mall in Dubai Festival City, near the Middle East's busiest airport, has devices installed in the car park to monitor carbon dioxide levels." (Saadeh, 2007) Environmental concerns over the developments include concerns relating to a refrigerated swimming pool and a beach with cooled sand. (Hickman, 2008) However it is believe that "responsible travel and tourism growth are 'key'. (Heyer, 2008)

It is stated in the report entitled: "Dubai's Economic Growth Report" that the economic growth in Dubai from 2000 to 2005 was "remarkable with double-digit real GDP growth and a relatively high per capita income despite negligible dependence on oil. Environmental pressures from legislators, consumers, investors, neighbors, and employees have intensified over recent years. The real competitive advantage is possibly held by those who are making environmental responsibility integral to their overall corporate strategy, both in management of existing operations and in the planning of new developments. The size and growth of the hospitality industry in Dubai means its overall impact on the environment could be substantial." (realtyna Knowledge Center, 2008) in addition, it is stated that the success of Dubai can be attributed to its "bold and visionary leadership and innovative human resources, mainly driven by government policies aimed at improving the business and investment environment, in addition to initiatives to established specialized zones and mega projects." (realtyna, Knowledge Center, 2008)

In 2005, in the report entitled "Dubai's artificial islands have high environmental cost the Price of "The World": Dubai's Artificial Future" it is stated that while "from the air, the World and Palm projects create a highly visible impression on the landscape of Dubai" the fact is that at sea level "....significant changes in the marine environment are leaving a visual scar of another type. As a result of the dredging and redepositing of sand for the construction of the islands, the typically crystalline waters of the gulf of Dubai have become severely clouded with silt. Construction activity is damaging the marine habitat, burying coral reefs, oyster beds and subterranean fields of sea grass, threatening local marine species as well as other species dependent on them for food. Oyster beds have been covered in as much as two inches of sediment, while above water, beaches are eroding with the disruption of natural currents." (Butler, 2005) However, it is stated in a rebuttal response from an environmental scientist at Nakheel that in actuality it has been discovered that "the channels between the fronds of the Palm projects seem to be ideal habitat for seagrass meadows. We've discovered large tracts of two species of seagrasses establishing in these areas. The protection offered by the crescent offers a sheltered environment favorable to seagrasses. The Palm Jumeirah crescent itself represents about 40 hectares of rocky reef. I dive on it every week and it is flourishing with invertebrate and vertebrate fauna. We've recorded dolphins, manta rays, sharks, trevally and more within the waters of Palm Jumeirah." (Butler, 2005; rebuttal response)

II. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS in DUBAI

It is reported that the Abu Dhabi Government has recently started its initiative in which it will develop sustainability guidelines and tools for regulations in the form of a program called "Estidama" which means "sustainability in Arabic." (Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, 2008) This program states the aim of creation of guidelines and regulatory practices that will ensure "sustainable green design, operating and maintenance of all types of building and communities with the Emirates." (Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, 2008) Reported are the following initiatives in the first phase of this project:

Estidama New Buildings Design Guidelines;

Estidama New Buildings Design - Assessment Method Report; and Estidama New Buildings Design - Assessment Tool Spreadsheet. (Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, 2008)

Addressed in the Estidama New Buildings Guidelines are the following relating to environment aspects of design:

Water;

Energy Use

Indoor Environmental Quality;

Ecology;

Management;

Transport;

Pollution;

Materials;

IV. SUSTAINABILITY in DUBAI DEVELOPMENTS

The work entitled: "Hospitality Going Green" states that the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company "...is building the world's first zero carbon, zero waste city, named "Masdar City." The U.S.$22 billion project, which is master-planned by Foster + Partners, is anticipated to house 50,000 people when completed in 2015 and is anticipated to include an environmentally friendly and sustainable hotel." (Ernest & Young. 2008

Likewise, this trend is being followed by other emirates and for example "...In Ras Al Khaimah, Rem Koolhaas's Office for Metropolitan Architecture office is developing the "Gateway Eco City," an over 400 million-square foot development powered by cutting-edge solar power and designed to be entirely sustainable." (Ernest & Young. 2008)

It is additionally related that Dubai recently announced its "...mammoth ecological project "Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens," an 800 million-square foot project, estimated to cost approximately U.S.$55 billion, and to comprise four clusters and 73% greenery." (Ernest & Young. 2008) Dubai also launched an eco-initiative in July 2008 which hopes to provide encouragement to hotels for reduction of their CO2 emission by approximately 20% by the year 2011. This initiative "...focuses on conservation of natural resources and sensible use of energy, water and gas." (Ernest & Young. 2008)

The emirates move towards development of sustainability actually begin over a decade ago however it was on a very small scale in comparison to current initiatives in the emirates for sustainability in their project development. Awarded National Geographic's - one of the world's best ecotourism models, Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, "...pioneered environmentally friendly lodging in the Middle east" is located "...within the 225-square-kilometer Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve...[and]... set a precedent in the region on how to make ecology work for hospitality." (Ernest & Young. 2008) Another project 'Six Senses' which is a luxury resort hotel company also pursued the sustainability initiative and contributed to conservation of the natural environment as well as providing support for the well-being of communities and has recently opened the Zighy Bay resort in Oman. This company is the creator of an environmental management system and Environmental & Social Sustainability policy that has been integrated into all of its hotel operations.

Dubai will open its first environmental-friend budget hotel sometime this year will which incorporate green practices including light bulbs that are energy efficient and keycard activated lights in the guestrooms as well as procuring furniture from sustainable forests. The ECOS Hotels is joining forces with international environmental conservation groups and places a great emphasis on "an efficient and economic hotel design in order to create a green approach to hospitality." (Ernest & Young. 2008)

SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

It does appear from the literature reviewed in this brief report that sustainable and environmentally responsible development is being emphasized by Dubai and other emirates in the UAB and that it has been acknowledged that in order to achieve a competitive advantage that these issues are not optional factors but instead are requirements for design, development and implementation of project in Dubai.