The great outdoors

The master plans of the middle east are going green in more ways than one as companies begin to invest in sustainable landscaping.

Landscaping was once about making a project look eye-catching but now priorities have changed and contractors have to choose sustainability over beauty, as CW discovers.

The Middle East is renowned for its five star resorts and picturesque hotels, but where would Downtown Burj Dubai be without its famous dancing fountain? Or Atlantis without the beach side promenades of The Palm Jumeirah?

Mega-projects from theme parks to man-made islands depend on striking landscaping to attract business. And, whether developers and contractors choose to believe it or not, investing in sustainable landscaping both helps the environment and is proven to save money.

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The world around us is changing. Construction projects can no longer rely on picture perfect developments at the cost of being unsustainable. Beauty is a priority but, right now, sustainability is an even greater one.

KEY TO SUSTAINABILITY
When it comes to landscaping, what does it mean to be sustainable? “Sustainable landscaping basically is defined as landscaping that not only can be constructed cost efficiently, but can also be maintained and preserved efficiently as well,” explains Rafael Khanoyan director of Al Ryum General Contracting, a designer and manufacturer of landscape solutions.

“In my opinion, this trend didn’t just start; rather it has developed and through technology, has improved. As a landscape contractor we are always trying to create cheaper, more efficient methods of construction, as well as using the ‘green’ approach, being that we are environmentalists, not only by profession but by nature.”

A specialist in master planning, landscape architecture, project management and irrigation engineering, Cracknell is one company which has several projects under its belt that take sustainable landscaping into account.

“We have been working on Yas Island and with the Grand Prix recently taking place – this has been one of our key priorities,” says Cracknell associate Lee Allen.

The Yas Marina Circuit undoubtedly looks green with its grass running around the track. But, behind the scenes, the company has planted foliage that is locally sourced and requires less water.

“Planting has become more Middle Eastern,” adds Allen. “There has been a shift from the use of tropical plants, which were popular in the past, to locally produced plants as they thrive best in the region’s tough weather conditions.”

Contractors and developers are also leaning toward softscape (plants and trees) rather than hardscape (tiles and granite) because of cost savings.

“Clients are choosing schemes that are pleasant on the eye without having the costs that previous landscape projects incurred,” adds Khanoyan.