A high-level Danish delegation today (February 22) toured Imkan’s new Makers District, an 18-hectare masterplanned development on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi that has been designed as a waterfront community.

The delegation led by Danish Minister for Environment and Food Esben Lunde Larsen 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 focused on sustainability and the opportunities around the region.

Makers District will also be home to Pixel, which will offer 480 residential units within seven mixed-use residential towers that are surrounded by quiet pocket gardens. Pixel’s 3,500-sq-m centralised pedestrian plaza will house an artisanal mix of food and beverage (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.

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 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. – TradeArabia News Service