By Sheena Amos
DUBAI: The foundation stone of ‘Silicon Park’ – the first integrated smart city project at Dubai Silicon Oasis – was laid yesterday by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA).
Once complete, the development spanning 150,000 square metres and constructed at a cost of Dh1.3 billion will reinforce the green credentials of Dubai and the wider UAE.
Set for completion in Q4 2018, Silicon Park will comprise 71,000 square metres of office space, 25,000 square metres of commercial space, 46,000 square metres of residential area and the 115-key business hotel Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis. In addition, it will feature value-added contemporary lifestyle facilities, such as restaurants, cafes, prayer rooms, a shopping centre and an underground parking space that can accommodate more than 2,500 cars.
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. Furthermore, its residential units will boast sophisticated 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 through enjoying a variety of sporting activities, and therefore live more holistic lives. Once open, the project will offer a spectrum of office spaces and modern business facilities including meeting halls and a multi-purpose conference centre.
Green Initiative
In compliance with Dubai Municipality’s Green Building Regulations and Specifications and international LEED standards, DSOA seeks to ensure environmental sustainability in all its initiatives. Silicon Park will leverage green building materials and control mechanisms 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. In line with this objective, it will feature smart lighting systems with motion sensor controls that respond to traffic and pedestrians, said Wam.
Silicon Park will also include a control centre that collects and analyses data gathered through sensor devices. The collated information will enable seamless management of smart devices to ensure the delivery of best-in-class smart services to employees, residents and visitors.
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 as a means of conveyance.
A wholly owned entity of the Government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for large enterprises as well as medium and small companies looking to set up their offices in Dubai.