UPC awards Estidama Pearl Rating to three Aldar development projects

Aldar has become the first developer to receive Estidama Pearl Design Rating approval from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) for three major schemes in the Emirate, demonstrating its commitment to meeting sustainable requirements and leading the way in translating the forward thinking and insightful vision of Abu Dhabi’s leadership into reality. The three projects are:

- Al Bateen (Mixed Use Development)

- Yas Island Water Park (Entertainment Development)

- Yas Mall (Retail Development)

Yas Mall has received a Two Pearl Estidama Rating while Al Bateen and Yas Water Park have each been awarded a One Pearl Estidama Rating for their design, demonstrating Aldar’s determination to design developments to the highest sustainable standards in line with the long term ambitions of Vision 2030.

The Estidama Pearl Ratings System was originally established by the UPC in 2009 to assess the sustainability performance of buildings, communities and villas and is a symbol of an inspired vision for governance and community development in a sustainable framework. It reviews developments and initiatives through four pre-defined areas – environmental; economic; social and cultural – ahead of making decisions about the long term sustainability of an initiative. 

In successfully meeting the Estidama criteria, each of these projects has demonstrated that it has met the intent and the requirements of Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 to create a cohesive, contemporary and sustainable urban fabric for Abu Dhabi to enable it to prosper as an attractive, liveable city that preserves the Emirate’s unique culture and environment.

Al Bateen Park: Al Bateen Park is a mixed use project in Downtown Abu Dhabi incorporating villas, buildings and a small number of retail outlets. Aldar was able to blend these categories to achieve an Estidama certification as a single project rather than individual certifications for the three individual elements – sustainable community, sustainable buildings and sustainable villas. It is emblematic of the success of Al Bateen Park that the development as a whole has successfully achieved recognition.

Yas Water Park:  Given the scarcity of water in the region, it is extremely challenging, in a water park project, to promote the key elements of the Estidama criteria for its pillar of Precious Water: reduced demand, efficient distribution and alternative resources. Therefore it is an exceptional achievement for Aldar and the consultants behind the Yas Water Park project to have originated a sustainable water park. The project’s consultants assisted in identifying how and where reductions in the use of drinkable water were possible. The innovative solutions to these challenges are likely to be the subject of study all over the world as an example of international best practice.

Yas Mall: Yas Mall has put in particular effort to creating a rigorous set of tenant guidelines designed to protect visitors and to provide sustainable levels of comfort and building efficiency on an ongoing basis. This is the only shopping destination throughout the region to achieve this level of sustainable design.

His Excellency Falah Mohamed Al Ahbabi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, “Creating developments in a sustainable way is fundamental to Vision 2030. Day after day, Estidama is gaining strong momentum with more developers committing to its interdisciplinary approach and sustainability guidelines. It is encouraging to see the progress being made and these three developments show the importance of bringing a sustainable approach to bear at the early design phase as the basis of a sound approach. I would like to congratulate Aldar for demonstrating such a commitment to sustainable development that asserts its strategic position as an active proponent of our initiative and a true partner in progress.” 

Sami Asad, Chief Executive of Aldar Properties,  “We are proud of this recognition. It shows how important design is to creating the right environment that works to the long term ambitions of Vision 2030. Under UPC guidance and support, Aldar is progressing the principles and imperatives for sustainable development and we look forward to pursuing the same direction for all of our upcoming projects.”