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Abu Dhabi: Danish Minister for Environment and Food Mr Esben Lunde Larsen led a high-level delegation as the group toured IMKAN’s new Makers District site today. The delegation was briefed on one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic new projects, learning more about IMKAN’s vision and lead consultant Ramboll’s liveability agenda.
Sustainability and liveability are high on the agenda for real estate developer IMKAN and leading global engineering design consultant Ramboll, as they hosted a delegation of companies from Denmark led by Danish Minister for Environment and Food, on a two-day programme focussed on sustainability and the opportunities around the region.
In 2017, IMKAN officially launched Makers District, an 18-hectare masterplan development on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi that has been designed as a waterfront community that cultivates creativity through residential, hospitality, commercial and retail space. As part of Makers District, the first building that was unveiled was The-Artery, IMKAN’s unique hybrid parking garage that serves as a vibrant cultural hub.
Makers District will also be home to Pixel, which will offer 480 residential units within 7 mixed-use residential towers that are surrounded by quiet pocket gardens. Pixel’s 3,500 sqm centralized pedestrian plaza will house an artisanal mix of F&B, retail and offices as well as a signature water feature.
Ramboll provided an overview of their role as the lead consultant for IMKAN’s Makers District and how they are helping their client to create a development that is highly liveable, cost-effective to build, efficient to operate and environmentally responsible throughout its lifetime. By utilising sustainable strategies and technologies, Ramboll also looks at ways that will reduce energy costs to ensure that carbon reduction targets can be met both now and in the future.
Commenting on the delegation’s visit, Walid El Hindi, CEO of IMKAN, said: “Makers District aims to become the new heart of Abu Dhabi, and we were honoured to share our vision for it with Mr Esben Lund Larsen and his high-level delegation of Danish companies. We had the opportunity to share some of our extensive research with the Minister to shed light on how Makers District supports the UAE capital’s long-term vision to be a hub for the arts and culture. Entrepreneurs and creatives are currently an underserved demographic in our Emirate. With this project, we hope to create a residential community that cultivates homegrown talent who have a passion for creating art to live and work while we inspire a more sustainable future.”
“We believe that buildings should be designed to be attractive and liveable for the people that inhabit them. Our designs do not focus solely on sustainability; at Ramboll, we talk about a broader approach – liveability. We focus on the physical, social and cultural dimensions alongside sustainability. All these conditions are included to make the development successful,” stated Chris Jones, Ramboll’s Buildings Director for the Middle East and Asia.
The delegation received a guided tour of the Makers District site. Once constructed, the waterfront community will comprise a mix of residential, hospitality, commercial and retail space spread across 18 hectares of land on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi.
About Ramboll
Ramboll is a leading engineering, design, environmental and consultancy company founded in Denmark in 1945. The company employs more than 13,000 people globally and has especially strong representation in the Nordics, UK, North America, Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
With 300 offices in 35 countries, Ramboll combines local experience with a global knowledge base constantly striving to achieve inspiring and exacting solutions that make a genuine difference to our clients, the end-users, and society at large. Ramboll works across the following markets: Buildings, Transport, Planning & Urban Design, Water, Environment & Health, Energy and Management Consulting.
Ownership: The Ramboll Foundation is the main owner of Ramboll Group A/S and its main objective is to promote the company’s continuance alongside the long-term development of the company, its employees and the communities it serves. All shares in Ramboll Group A/S are owned either by the Ramboll Foundation (98%) or by employees in Ramboll (2%).
About IMKAN
IMKAN is an Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer with multi-billion dirham development portfolio spanning four continents.
At the centre of IMKAN’s proposition is a unique research platform and ideology. By exploring and understanding the needs and desires of emerging and currently underserved communities, IMKAN aims to create soulful places that truly enrich peoples’ lives.
In creating places that instinctively appeal to defined groups, IMKAN’s approach will also drive value for its stakeholders.
From its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, IMKAN designs and builds projects around distinct user profiles. From millennials to discerning high net worth individuals, IMKAN creates places that are in tune with the mindset of each profile.
IMKAN is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Capital Group (ADCG).
Contact:
IMKAN:
Erica Alkhfaji / Tarek Zahnan
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
+971 4 450 7600
erica.alkhfaji@bm.com / tarek.zahnan@bm.com
Ramboll:
Lisa Christowitz
Head of Communications, Middle East and Asia
D +971 4 3343616
M+971 50 6501595
lisa-lynne.christowitz@ramboll.com
