LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based green building rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings
DOMANI and EMS on-board for technical consultancy and implementation
Amman, Jordan; February 18, 2008: Samarah Dead Sea Resort, the JD354 million (AED1.84 billion; US$500 million) mixed-use project by Emaar International Jordan, will pursue LEED certification for the Samarah Rift component of the master-planned project. If successful, the Samarah Rift will have the first LEED-certified buildings in Jordan, establishing the model for future sustainable development in Jordan.
Emaar is working with DOMANI and Energy Management Services (EMS), two technical consultancies, to facilitate the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) process, while providing technical design guidance to maximize the project's LEED rating potential. LEED is a green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Working towards achieving LEED certification, the Samarah Rift multifamily residential project highlights its conformance with a suite of standards for high performance buildings. Samarah Rift will bring about tangible improvements in site sustainability, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, and indoor environmental quality.
DOMANI, a US firm, is a leading business advisory and technical consulting firm that helps companies achieve new bottom-line value through market-driven sustainability strategies. EMS is the leading energy management and conservation company in the Middle East and supports the environmental-compliance initiatives of Jordan's high-stake developments by leveraging on its LEED certification service.
Mr. Steve McCartt, General Manager, Emaar International Jordan, said: "Sustainable development strategies are increasingly becoming the focus of mega-project planning in the Middle East. Governments across the region place emphasis on 'Green Building' developments to ensure social, environmental and economic sustainability in the long run. Samarah Dead Sea Resort, as the pioneering master-planned project in Jordan, is taking the lead in this direction through concerted efforts to achieve LEED certification for Samarah Rift."
He added: "Achieving universally understood and accepted performance criteria are integral to the LEED certification requirements, which will be a further impetus for global and regional investor partnerships in Samarah Dead Sea Resort. DOMANI and EMS have proven competencies and market-leading expertise in helping developers achieve LEED certification."
The sustainable design best practices being considered for LEED certification include developing a water- and energy-efficiency strategy starting with demand reduction through passive building design including natural daylighting and climate & microclimate analysis as well as environmentally preferable material selection, including consideration of life cycle impact.
Mr. Matthew Segur of DOMANI, said: "Through our collaboration with Emaar International Jordan, we emphasise the triple bottom line: Real estate assets, human capital and the environment. This will be achieved through Emaar's team of architects, landscape designers, and mechanical, environmental and water quality engineers, who are specialized in developing project-specific solutions for effective building design, construction and operational practices."
Mr. Amjad Alkam, Country Manager, EMS added: "Environmental compliance is fast gaining ground in Jordan. The introduction of sustainable development practices will help the country meet the growing resource constraints and develop strategies for water and energy management. Samarah Dead Sea Resort is a large-scale development and using LEED as a design guideline will have long-run benefits for the entire neighbourhood."
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. Since its inception in 1998, the LEED portfolio covers 14,000 projects in 30 countries covering 1.062 billion sq ft of development area.
Samarah Dead Sea Resort has been envisaged in line with the growth plan for Jordan as outlined by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development. The project has various key components including Samarah Hillside with residences and a community centre; Samarah Beach with residences and a Spa and Wellness Village; and Samarah Rift with a Retail Village and a business hotel. Samarah Dead Sea Resort is owned by The Dead Sea Touristic and Real Estate Company, a venture of Emaar Properties PJSC and a group of regional and Jordanian investors.
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About Emaar International Jordan:
Emaar International Jordan is the subsidiary of Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC, a global property developer with six business sectors, more than 60 active companies and a collective presence in over 36 markets spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Pan-Asia, Europe and North America.
The Dead Sea Touristic and Real Estate Investment Company, formed by Emaar Properties PJSC along with a group of regional and Jordanian investors, owns the project in line with the growth plan for Jordan as outlined by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development. The Dead Sea Touristic and Real Estate Company unveiled the Samarah Dead Sea Resort, a mixed master-planned community, in November 2006. The project features luxury villas, beachside amenities and an extensive retail spread.
Emaar International Jordan has opened its corporate office in Amman at the Rabia Towers.
About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest real estate companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Powered by its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world, Emaar, ranked on the FT 500 Global companies, is charting a new course of growth with a two-pronged strategy of geographical expansion and business segmentation.
Listed on the Dubai Financial Market, part of the Dow Jones Arabia Titans Index and certified to ISO9001:2000 for quality standards, Emaar is developing Burj Dubai, on its way to become the world's tallest tower. Emaar's portfolio currently covers the following countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Libya, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, the US, the UK, France and Canada.
Emaar has strengthened its product sale competencies, market reach and best practices through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. Emaar acquired John Laing Homes, America's second largest privately held home builder; Hamptons International, UK's premier realtor; and formed a joint venture with US-based Turner International to strengthen execution capabilities. Emaar has joined hands with Giorgio Armani, Accor Hotels and Premier Travel Inn to strengthen its presence in hospitality, and will launch ten luxury Armani Hotels & Resorts world-wide and 180 budget hotels in India.
Emaar holds 30 per cent equity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial banking. Emaar is also the largest shareholder in Amlak Finance, UAE's leading Islamic home financing company. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home / Nivine William
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East & North Africa
Tel: (+971 4) 335 5969;
Fax: (+971 4) 335 6080
E-mail: k.home@asdaa.com, n.william@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2008
