High-Level Dutch Trade Mission Lauds Future-Proof Housing Solutions At Sharjah Sustainable City

A high-level Dutch trade mission to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023 consisting of a 25-member delegation representing 15 companies paid a special visit on 18 January 2023 to Sharjah Sustainable City – the first sustainable master-planned community developed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in partnership with Diamond Developers, to learn more about the city’s sustainable housing solutions.

In particular, the visit focused on exchanging knowledge on integrated, sustainable, future-proof solutions related to water, food, sustainable energy and a circular economy in urban environments such as the emirate of Sharjah.

During the visit, the Sustainable Cities-themed trade mission praised the project’s efforts toward developing a contemporary residential community that’s harmonious with nature and promotes health and well-being.

Accompanied by officials from the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the delegation, including Managing Directors, CEOs, sustainability experts and business directors of several Dutch companies, had valuable discussions with Mr. Karim El-Jisr, Chief Sustainability Officer at Diamond Developers/Sharjah Sustainable City and Mr. Carl Atallah, Marketing Director at Sharjah Sustainable City.

The delegation comprised representatives of various Dutch companies with a focus on a wide range of areas, including sustainability, agriculture, architecture, construction, green building technology, immersive technologies and urban environment.

Following the meeting, the delegation had an extensive site visit, including a tour of the smart villas and other facilities such as the biodomes with vertical farming techniques and community garden pockets.

Commenting on the visit, Mr. Carl Atallah said: “We were delighted to welcome this important trade mission from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was an excellent opportunity to meet and learn about different Dutch companies and their efforts toward sustainability, in addition to exchanging knowledge on areas of common interest, including the importance of integrating the water–energy–food nexus in sustainable cities like ours. Besides being a residential community, our city is committed to driving a positive change where residents enjoy healthy and environmentally responsible living. The visit aligns well with our mission to make Sharjah Sustainable City a knowledge destination and serve as a learning platform for a diverse group of government and private sector visitors, including innovators, entrepreneurs and academics.”

For her part, Kenza Tarqaat, Deputy Head of Mission of the Netherlands Consulate-General in Dubai, said: “Today we brought 15 Dutch companies that are seeking cooperation on integrated, sustainable future-proof solutions on challenges related to water, sustainable energy and circular economy to visit Sharjah Sustainable City. Sharjah Sustainable City is a leading example on sustainable living and fits very well with our philosophy on synergizing the nexus on water, energy and food. I very much hope this visit can contribute to strengthening our common goal in creating more sustainable and climate resilient cities.”

Extended over an area of 7.2 million square feet in Sharjah’s Al Rahmaniya Area, Sharjah Sustainable City has a total of 1,250 sustainable villas. It’s divided into blocks of three-, four- and five-bedroom properties ranging between 2,035 square feet and 3,818 square feet in a built-up area.

The City contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supports national and global efforts toward reducing the carbon footprint. Designed on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economical, it aspires to achieve net zero energy by reducing carbon emissions and embraces the concept of “living locally” in a fully integrated and vibrant community offering a unique and sustainable lifestyle.