Dubai Silicon Oasis to host Dh1.3 billion smart city

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Dubai Silicon Oasis to host Dh1.3 billion smart city
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum lays the foundation stone for Silicon Park in Dubai.

dubai - Mixed-use project will be sustainable and only use electricity-powered vehicles

By Staff Report

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Published: Mon 27 Feb 2017, 6:54 PM

Last updated: Mon 27 Feb 2017, 9:00 PM

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), laid the foundation stone of Silicon Park, the first integrated smart city project at the hi-tech park. The development will span 150,000 square metres (sqm) and be constructed at a cost of Dh1.3 billion.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, vice-chairman and CEO of DSOA, and senior management from DSOA.

Set for completion in 2018, Silicon Park will comprise 71,000 sqm of office space, 25,000 sqm of commercial space, 46,000 sqm of residential area and a 115-key business hotel Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis. In addition, it will feature lifestyle facilities such as restaurants, cafes, prayer rooms, a shopping centre and an underground parking space that can accommodate more than 2,500 cars.

Sheikh Ahmed, also the chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, said: "In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world, we have conceptualised Silicon Park with smart technology at the core of its DNA."

He added: "With the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 in mind, the integrated smart city project reflects global trends for smart cities and incorporates most of the KPIs of the UAE National Agenda, including cohesive society, safe public and sustainable environment. We are confident Silicon Park will offer a modern holistic lifestyle for residents, workers and visitors."

Dr Alzarooni said: "Since its establishment, Dubai Silicon Oasis has remained committed to providing a superior quality of life for its residents and a highly enabling work environment for its business partners. In line with the Dubai Plan 2021, we have designed Silicon Park to reflect the strategic direction of our government on smart cities that focuses on six pillars: life, society, mobility, economy, governance and environment."

As a smart community, Silicon Park will feature intelligent solutions from charging docks for smart devices on the streets to smart pop-up furniture and digital play tables, as well as optimally designed bus shelters, piazza shading and other public amenities.

Its residential units will boast remote-controlled systems that can regulate lighting, air conditioning and electrical appliances in addition to controlling the movement of windows and curtains.

Silicon Park's sports amenities, such as health and fitness centres as well as running tracks and cycling trails, will allow residents to prioritise their health. The project will offer office spaces and modern business facilities including meeting halls and a multi-purpose conference centre.

Silicon Park will use green building materials as well as solar panels and double-glazed windows to reduce heat absorption. The project will optimise the use of renewable energy resources and adopt measures to achieve efficiency in energy consumption. It will feature smart lighting systems with motion sensor controls that respond to traffic and pedestrians.

Completely free of regular vehicles, Silicon Park will use electricity-powered alternatives as the primary mode of transportation. All residents and visitors owning electric vehicles will be able to access the charging stations set up across the premises. In addition, they will have the option to use smart rechargeable electric bikes.

- business@khaleejtimes.com

The Silicon Park project will include restaurants, a shopping centre and an underground parking space that can accommodate more than 2,500 cars.
The Silicon Park project will include restaurants, a shopping centre and an underground parking space that can accommodate more than 2,500 cars.

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