(MENAFNEditorial) Abu Dhabi UAE20 March 2016: Etihad Rail the developer and operator of the UAE''s $11 billion national rail network has today announced that it has been awarded the Estidama 2 Pearl Construction Rating by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) for seven sustainable buildings at its depot in Mirfa Al Gharbia.
It is a significant achievement to receive 2 Pearls for 7 individual buildings on one plot. Estidama is an initiative developed and promoted by the UPC for large-scale sustainable urban development. It seeks to promote thoughtful and responsible development through the creation of a balanced society based on four equal pillars of sustainability: environmental economic social and cultural.
The Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS) is a unique and mandatory rating system for sustainable design construction and lifecycle operation for communities buildings and villas in Abu Dhabi Emirate.
The 2 pearl Estidama Construction Rated Etihad Rail facilities range from maintenance buildings and operational facilities to administration and communications centres.
The respectable score is recognition of the sustainability commitments made from the project design phase until final test and commissioning inclusive of the construction phase. The achievements highlighted by the UPC include resourceful energy saving – including a 31 per cent energy saving of at one of the administration facilities – and water saving initiatives resulting in more than 10 per cent reduction in potable water consumption for all the buildings surveyed.
In addition the project exceeded the minimum recycling target with more than 80 per cent of non-hazardous demolition and construction waste collected transported and disposed to reduce the long-term environmental impacts.
Sustainability has been a core priority for Etihad Rail since the very beginning. Etihad Rail''s approach to sustainable development stems from the project’s fundamental intent to prosper as a business while meeting the energy needs of present and future generations.
“Etihad Rail is committed to environmental sustainability and to supporting Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. We are very proud to say today that our commitment and efforts have led to Etihad Rail attaining the 2 Pearl Rating for seven buildings at our Mirfa depot” commented Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei CEO Etihad Rail.
“Sustainability is and has always been a key consideration at every stage of Etihad Rail development with the goal of our project becoming a regional leader in sustainable infrastructure and transport design construction and operations.”
H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi Director General UPC said “Etihad Rail is a critical component in achieving the urban growth as per Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. It will provide a comprehensive network across Abu Dhabi the wider UAE and eventually the GCC region providing a sustainable transit solution for passengers and freight. The UPC is very pleased to award 2 pearls to these seven buildings. This collaboration reflects the strategic relationship between UPC and Etihad Rail which began at the very early stages of its establishment. We look forward to working with Etihad Rail on all relevant fields to achieve Abu Dhabi’s urban vision”.
Etihad Rail is one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UAE. Upon completion the Etihad Rail network will span approximately 1200 kilometers across the Emirates providing both freight and passenger services.
A champion of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s commitment to fostering sustainable buildings communities and economies Etihad Rail will play a vital role in facilitating trade opening up communication channels and fostering long-term sustainable development across all Emirates in the UAE.
“At Etihad Rail our commitment to sustainability extends far beyond just our facilities – it is embedded in our mandate to support the economic development of the country” commented Eng. Al Mazrouei.
“An integrated rail network is a strategic part of infrastructure in major cities and countries across the globe and Etihad Rail will play a significant role in the UAE’s overall sustainable development. The network will promote growth in various business sectors provide jobs for the local workforce and contribute to environmental preservation.”
The Estidama PRS recognizes the reality of ownership and responsibility transitions as a project evolves from a design team to a construction team to a facility management team. Accordingly three rating stages have been established: Design Construction and Operation.
The Construction Rating – awarded to Etihad Rail – ensures that the commitments made for the Design Rating have been achieved. The Construction Rating also requires that all collateral branding and communication materials identify the project as a Pearl Construction Rated project.
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