Eco-monitoring increases ROI

Hyder Consulting is playing a major role in developing infrastructure projects for Palm Deira

DUBAI, UAE // In a speech to the MEED Middle East Coastal Projects 2008 Conference in November, Amanda Robertson, manager of environmental function for Hyder Consulting, encouraged architects and developers to focus on environmental concerns from the design stage to ensure lasting success.

Robertson highlighted the sizeable benefits of a proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) as part of securing the region’s infrastructure expansion, which will help long-term economic development. “While we have seen a massive expansion of built-up area, large scale reclamation, artificial islands, canals, green belts and skyscrapers vying to go beyond the kilometre mark,” said Robertson.

She continued: “Looking to the long-term future, it is important to put in place proper environmental foundations so as to guarantee the success of developments and countries as a whole for decades to come.”

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

Within the turbulent economic market, the ‘build it fast, build it now’ philosophy that is too often seen in the region is giving way to more environmentally conscious design and development, particularly as long-term sustainability becomes key to a healthy ROI.

Hyder Consulting Middle East, an international advisory and design consultancy, has been working in the region for over 45 years and has contributed to several well-known developments including the Burj Dubai, City of Arabia (Dubai), Palm Deira (Dubai) and Shams Development on Reem Island (Abu Dhabi).

In assessing the environmental impact of a project, Hyder uses various metrics including international standards, global practices and local guidelines to assess projects at different stages. Robertson reiterated the importance of monitoring levels of eco-friendliness from the strategic planning stage, through concept planning, concept design and detailed design to construction and operation. Though industry players are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of EIA, the absence of a uniform standard, the unavailability of reliable data and a lack of compliance monitoring after assessment remain significant challenges. 

“EIA helps to facilitates top level decision-making as well as public participation in development,” concluded Robertson.