Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Abu Dhabi: In light of their proven positive impact on childhood education, open learning spaces are becoming a prominent feature in dozens of new public schools across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, an education official said in the capital today (Tuesday).
The schools are being developed as part of the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (Adec) Future Schools Programme, and 23 of them are already in use, said Alberto Treves, section manager for educational facilities design at the Adec.
“We know that open spaces boost children’s attention spans, and also enhance creativity. In addition, they promote group work and help reduce stress levels for teachers and learners,” Treves said.
He was speaking at the Middle East Smart Landscape 2013, where industry experts met government officials and planners to discuss the trends and challenges in the sector.
According to Treves, open learning spaces give children different learning opportunities. In addition, they promote the group work and creativity that are integral to Adec’s New School Model curriculum.
“For example, a biology lesson can become more practical when children are shown the actual plants they are studying. Or physics concepts can be demonstrated so that children retain them better,” he said.
In the new schools, these spaces are integrated as courtyards between school buildings. Treves added that the areas, which are shaded with appropriate greenery and structures, are used nearly every day for at least six months each year. Among the schools built under these guidelines is the Mubarak Bin Mohammad School in Abu Dhabi city, as well as a number of facilities in Al Ain.
Ten other schools are already being constructed under these new design requirements, and a further 10 are currently in the tendering process.
“We are also looking to engage with architects and landscape experts about how costs can be controlled in developing such schools, and what kind of materials and greenery can be installed sustainably,” Treves said.
The summit also saw landscaping industry professionals discuss the use of native UAE plants in enhancing greenery.
Ali Shehail, landscape consultant at Dubai-based real estate developer Nakheel, said Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah had been designed and developed with only plants native to the UAE.
“The park, which spans about 102,000 square metres, contains about 60 different varieties of indigenous plants, trees and shrubs. The advantage of using native plants is that they allow for savings of 90 per cent of the water used to irrigate non-native plants,” Shehail explained.
He also urged landscapers to tap into the variety and durability of UAE plants and trees.
By Samihah Zaman?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
