Al Hajri: Dubai is a global destination; we care quality of nominated projects and possible adoption internationally
Dubai Municipality continues its preparations for the Dubai International Award for Best Sustainable Development Practices, and to receive the nominations of participating projects from all over the world in the award in its new form, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on 19 February last year, on the sidelines of the seventh session of the World Government Summit in Dubai.
The award, organized by Dubai Municipality in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Program, (UN Habitat) is widely accepted with great response for registration and participation from governmental and private organizations and bodies and individuals, after developing the award in its new form, and expanding the participation base in it to include more numbers of the global participation segments and by making it easier to participate in it, for those wishing from all over the world, as well as doubling the amount for the winners of the five prize categories to USD 1 million.
The registration for participation in the award is done through its website, which witnesses every day a large and continuous increase in the number of visitors since the launch in September 2019, and the number of visitors to the site has exceeded 70,000 from more than 154 countries so far. So far registration for participation from more than 90 countries has been registered, and it is expected that the number will reach more than 170 countries at the end of the registration phase on April 30. The number of participants in the award since its launch in 1996 has reached 5,200 projects from more than 170 countries during the previous 11 cycles of the award.
Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the award said: “Dubai today translates the UAE policy towards sustainable development of human settlements and environmental protection on the basis of sustainable international cooperation, through the continuity of the Dubai International Award for Best Practices, organized every two years. The award has reached at its 12th cycle by giving it great momentum, a global formula, and expanding the scope of participation in the award. The date for announcing and crowning the winners in November will coincide with the organization of Dubai’s major international event, Expo 2020 and the World Government Summit.”
Al Hajri added: “This year, international organizations took the initiative to register for the award, which confirms the quality of projects and their excellence. It also heralds the expected success of this session, and this corresponds to our focus on the value and quality of projects that will be examined by the jury committees, as we search for quality and variety, not the number of projects competing in the award to win the projects that can be applied and adopted globally in countries other than the country that embraced the project. This is in line with the continuation of Dubai’s approach to launching initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of human life, by developing innovative creative solutions to face challenges.”
On the other hand, the award team in Dubai Municipality is currently participating with a marketing platform in the World Urban Forum and the first conference in the world on sustainable cities, which will be held for the first time at the Arab regional level in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 13 February under the slogan, “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation,” under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The forum sets, for the first time, elements of culture, creativity and innovation as basic pillars of dialogue on the vitality and sustainability of cities. It also provides an international platform for decision makers in the government and the private sector, experts and academics in the field of environmentally friendly architecture, to share their experiences about the concept of “smart cities” and the future directions of urban development, as well as to raise awareness about sustainable urbanization.
It is worth noting that the Dubai International Award for Best Practices includes five categories or themes, namely:
First: the urban development theme, which includes urban planning and public spaces, and improving the overall appearance.
Second: The building and construction engineering theme through best practices in building and constructing sustainable, innovative and smart buildings.
Third: The food theme for best practices in providing food security and maintaining urban food systems.
Fourth: The environmental theme for best practices in the field of environmental improvement, addressing climate change and reducing pollution.
Finally, the infrastructure theme that focuses on best practices in designing and implementing infrastructure projects to improve living conditions.