Jewel in the crown

One of the largest and most ambitious real estate developments in the Middle East, the multi-billion dollar Pearl-Qatar is the jewel in the crown of one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Rebecca Goozee speaks to UDC's Managing Director Khalil Sholy to see how the project is progressing.

“I'd been growing grass in the deserts, so I didn't really have any technical challenges”

One of the fastest changing nations in the world, Qatar's rapidly changing skyline is a clear symbol of just how far the state has come. And at the heart of Doha's development boom, spanning over four million square metres is the Pearl-Qatar. Eventually set to create over 32 kilometres of new coastline and become home to over 40,000 residents in more than 15,000 dwellings, the reclaimed island has been built 350 metres offshore from one of the most prestigious districts of the capital city.

Actually a string of several islands built on a former pearl-diving site - for which it was named - the project is a new, upscale city complete with a thoughtfully designed, planned and developed mix of residences, engaging public spaces and marinas in 10 themed districts (Porto Arabia, Viva Bahriyah, Costa Malaz, Isola Dana, Abraj Quatriers, Perlita Villas, Giaardino Villas, Qanat Quartier, Medina Centrale and Floresta Gardens). It is linked to the mainland by a four-lane, palm tree lined super highway.

And while the numbers are certainly impressive, the developer, United Development Company (UDC), has gone to great lengths to ensure a private and exclusive residence for its clients, and has long been interested in investing in long-term projects to the benefit of the country. Established 11 years ago, the company's mandate and mission has been to become a cornerstone of the development of Qatar, and it certainly seems to have done so, being involved in a number of other high profile projects in the state.

For Khalil Sholy, Managing Director of UDC, innovation in design and construction is playing an increasingly important role in developments and none more so than the Pearl-Qatar. "Nowadays people are becoming more selective and it is vital that a project is innovative because that sets it apart from other developments - we cater for the sophisticated buyer or investor so we have an continue to put a lot of emphasis on the innovative side of our projects, particularly at the Pearl-Qatar."

And as you would expect, the ambitious and innovative project has faced a number of construction challenges, mainly due to its immense size. When construction started in 2006 the first item on the to do list was land reclamation. This wasn't the first time land reclamation had featured so heavily in a development in the Middle East region, projects such as Palm Diera and Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and Al Raha Beach and Khalifa Port at Taweelah in Abu Dhabi have transformed previously uninhabitable space into solid land. And as the population increases and available land resources are shrinking, reclamation projects are a good option for those regions tight on space.

Reclamation for the Pearl-Qatar finished ahead of schedule in July 2008 and in a report published at the time, Rewert Wurpts, President of the Central Dredging Association, was quoted as saying that the "reclamation on the Pearl-Qatar was perfect and the soil is ideal for building solid foundations". Carried out by the Middle East Dredging Company (MEDCO), a joint venture between UDC and the Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering (MEDE) company of Belgium, called for the excavation of approximately 18 million cubic metres of material, reclamation of an area of approximately 4.2 million square metres, around 180,000 cubic metres of concrete quay walls, and around 45 linear kilometres of rock revetment and sandy beaches.

Since reclamation began on the project, back in 2006, there has been a huge focus on sustainability at the Pearl-Qatar. A whole new ocean environment was created by the 28 kilometres of sandy beaches and 19 kilometres of sea wall and with 400 hectares of island reclaimed from the sea, the environment and ecosystems that characterised the area were changed forever. Island developments have not had the best environmental reputation in the Gulf, but UDC hoped this project would be different.

Instead of using the 'rainbowing' technique, where dredging spoil is simply sprayed into place blighting the seabed for kilometres around a development the Pearl-Qatar used a different method. A coffer dam was built around the entire development to ensure that all dredging run off was captured and most infill was then taken from within the dam area to limit the impact on the seabed. And so the Pearl-Qatar was born.

Talking after the reclamation Wurpts added: "MEDCO's performance in this particular project was perfect...it was perfectly planned, perfectly organised and over and above this, the environmental impact assessment was perfectly executed."

Keeping cool

Indeed, it appears that sustainability has been high on the list for the developer from the project's outset. Before UDC embarked on this project it completed a detailed environmental impact study in order to monitor the projects affect on the environment, from the start of construction, which it hopes to continue long after it finishes. "We've found that the marine environment around the Pearl-Qatar is much richer than when we started and we are continuing to monitor this on a monthly basis. We've been supported by the environment authorities and found that we've contributed to both the above ground landscape and the marine environment," explains Sholy.

Once a month scientists carefully map the coastlines of the development and coastlines of its neighbours to make sure that the sea is not carrying unwanted deposits or scouring away valuable areas. So far the results have been good, in particular the area outside the Pearl-Qatar that was dredged for infill has begun to rehabilitate with a sea grass coverage of 80 percent. And it has also been reported that the new ocean environment is now seeing a lot of sea life return to the area and move back to inhabit the three new coves of the development, with fish life so abundant that it is almost two and half times that of a nearby reef.

He goes on to highlight all the support for the island's sustainability project and explains about the award-winning district cooling system that is in place. Stemming from as far back as Roman times, the basics behind the district cooling system used at the Pearl-Qatar are a variation on a system invented over 2000 years ago to run hot water through cities to provide heating for building and homes. Today, district cooling has been modified for use in warmer climates and works by chilling water in a central cooling plant, before being directed through a network of insulated pipes to residential and office building, which then ventilate cool air when required.

Energy wise it is designed to save 40 to 60 percent of the power required compared to conventional air conditioning systems. And these energy savings also translate to lower power generation requirements; hence lower harmful gas emissions. There are also a number so economic benefits associated with conventional air conditioning systems, including a reduction of initial capital investment and lower operation and maintenance costs. "There is a huge investment in this kind of technology from our side," adds Sholy. "And we believe it really well reduce energy consumption substantially."

The Pearl-Qatar will also be the first project of its kind to adopt the ENVAC waste disposal system, a technology that will be installed around the island to reduce waste transportation and improve hygiene. Rubbish thrown in bins will be transported through a network of underground pipes at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. This innovative high-speed underground waste collection system will reduce both the need for waste storage and waste collection and will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with waste management. "This will of course use recycling methods so it will be compacted and then sent to recycling centres in order that the material be reused." 

And that's not all. UDC has put plans in place to become the ultimate 'smart island'. The concept behind plans to be a 'smart island' include the latest technology in advanced security systems for audio, video and data, as well as management systems, metering and energy monitoring. "We have fibre optics that go through the infrastructure and spread all across the island to ensure that the buildings on the island and the retail and F&B outlets have a vast menu whereby the sky is the limit in utilising technology for the project," reveals Sholy, confident that the developers seem to have though have everything to ensure that the Pearl-Qatar is utilising the very best technology options for the island and it's residents.

"We have focused on quality in all aspects of this project and continue to look towards the future in order to best harness the power of technology to make life better at the Pearl-Qatar," he continues. "The island will offer an ultra modern living environment in one of the world's most relaxed and serene locations."

"What is really exciting about the Pearl-Qatar is that the island has been conceptualised and designed with the future in mind. We are creating a truly integrated smart island," Hussain Naimi, Manager of Information Technology for UDC, told AME. "We have focused on developing an extensive, high quality, fibre optic infrastructure network that means that the island will always be 'future-ready'. So as wireless and hard-wire products evolve and advance, the Pearl-Qatar will always be ahead of the game."

Indeed the Pearl-Qatar stands to be one of the most technologically advanced communities in the world, employing a range of technologies that will not only put residents at the height of technological sophistication, but also serve to minimise pollution, save energy and protect the local environment.

Looking forward

The first phase of the Pearl-Qatar, Porto Arabia, was designed to be a landmark asset for the large development and attract international interest. Consisting of more than 5000 residential units in high-rise towers, townhouses and terrace apartments, as well as one million square feet of retail space, a 400-berth marina and a four-star hotel it has certainly attracted some interest. And in May last year the first residents arrived to settle in.

Sholy explains that for 2010, UDC is focusing on completing Porto Arabia, estimating that approximately 90 percent will be finished. "The retail component, which is close to a million and a half square feet would be largely complete and operational," he says. "The marina, which will berth about 800 yachts or so will be compete and operational, plus several other precincts will be under way. Qanat Qatari will be 80-90 percent there and combined with Medina Centrale there will be another close to 500,000 square feet of retail and F&B outlets, in addition to around 6000 residential units and town homes. This is our focus for 2010."

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Living at the Pearl-Qatar

Although the Pearl-Qatar is yet to be completed, residents started moving in to the Pearl-Qatar 12 months ago. The first residents were handed the keys on 1^st May 2009. A large number of retail outlets also opened last year, in fact the first residents were welcomed by more than 40 high-end shops and several service providers including banks and chemists.

And last November saw the spectacular new marina at the Pearl-Qatar's Porto Arabia open to much fanfare.

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The Pearl-Qatar in numbers

4,000,000 square metres
40,000 residents
15,000 dwellings
800 hotel rooms
350 metres off shore
32 kilometres of coastline
10 districts
3 marinas