the blue communities initiative was announced on 19 january at a vip
event hosted by sultan ahmed bin sulayem, executive chairman, nakheel.
reflecting its status as a pioneer in waterfront development,
nakheel is committing aed 200million over three years, plus its
expertise and experience, to raise awareness of issues specific to
coastal development, engaging thought leaders, ngos and other
stakeholders to take an active role in developing the blue communities
initiative.
speaking at the event, sultan ahmed bin sulayem, executive chairman,
nakheel said: “it is our honour to launch blue communities, under the
direction of hh sheikh mohammed. blue communities is a call to action.
almost two thirds of the world’s population live in coastal communities
and a large amount of development is taking place in these locations.
as such there is a need for significant investment in research,
development and positive transformation of these environments. the
long term aim is for blue communities to provide leadership in the
development of sustainable coastal communities. our investment of aed
200 million demonstrates nakheel’s commitment to this new initiative.”
the investment will fund research and development activity, and
promote active engagement with international experts on the issues of
sustainable development, construction, management and governance of
coastal communities around the world.
“nakheel is still a young company, formed in 2001, yet in that short
time, we have achieved a great deal. we are known worldwide as an
innovator, building icons and landmarks for the future. we are a leader
in the region and internationally and we have written the rulebook on
waterfront development. we now want to take that pioneering approach
and apply it to the creation of blue communities.”
the launch event, which was attended by 500 leading figures from
government, industry and media, was held in a specially constructed
dome on the beachfront behind nakheel’s sales centre by the palm
jumeirah.
the principles of blue communities also underpin two incredible new
projects previewed at the event in their initial concept stages. these
projects will be unveiled by nakheel at tdim 2008 (tourism
development & investment market) event, which opens today.
nakheel said it will play a key role at the first ever tdim
exhibition, with the largest stand in the company’s history. nakheel’s
new waterfront developments will feature in two large domes situated
within the stand. nakheel will also unveil a 13 metre-long scale model
of dubai with an updated show, detailing the role the waterfront has
played in the growth of dubai and the major role nakheel has played in
developing its vision.
all of nakheel’s waterfront projects will be displayed at the
exhibition, including another recent addition to nakheel’s diverse
portfolio of projects, dubai promenade. a model of this newly-launched
waterfront community will allow visitors to see how dubai promenade
will create a virtual peninsula along the emirate’s shoreline, anchored
by a spectacular wheel-shaped five-star hotel.
