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Steeds on show at Arabian Horse Championships
Arabia's finest stallions were put on display at the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships
Dubai to get 100 pedestrian bridges by 2012
More than 100 pedestrian bridges by 2012 will include 47 metro station bridges when all the Metro stations on the Red and the Green Line open by the end of 2011.
Dubai will have more than 100 pedestrian bridges within the next two years, as stated in Gulf News.
The move comes as part of Dubai Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Action Plan launched by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at the end of 2008. The plan involves infrastructure and policy improvements to create a safe walking culture.
The three-year-goal of the plan is to reduce pedestrian accidents by 30 per cent and achieve an increase of 20 per cent in pedestrian traffic by 2012.
"We are well on track as we will have around 100 pedestrian bridges in addition to tens of dozens of normal crossings by 2012 compared to 16 pedestrian bridges in 2007," a senior RTA official told Gulf News.
He added that the RTA built eight pedestrian bridges in 2008, bringing the total number to 22. The number of pedestrian bridges increased to 40 by the end of 2009, including the bridges linked to the Dubai Metro stations.
The official said that construction on at least 16 pedestrian bridges is on the cards. There are slight changes in the specifications and the completion time has been extended. The more than 100 pedestrian bridges by 2012 will include 47 metro station bridges when all the Metro stations on the Red and the Green Line open by the end of 2011.
Most of the new bridges will be air-conditioned and have escalators and elevators. Existing crossings will be replaced with new ones in phases.
"Our long-term vision is to have ‘zero fatalities' with regard to pedestrian fatalities from the road network," the official added.
According to RTA statistics, 69 pedestrians were killed on Dubai Roads in 2001. There were 145 deaths in 2007, which accounted for 44 per cent of the total road fatalities.
Pedestrian fatalities dropped 27 per cent to 106 in 2008 and fell to 70 in 2009, thanks to new pedestrian bridges and zebra crossings equipped with signals.
"Reduced pedestrian fatalities is a big achievement and we are well on target to make Dubai pedestrian-friendly city," said the official.
Pedestrians have been warned that crossing the road in undesignated areas, especially on a road that has a speed limit above 80 km per hour, carries a fine of Dh200.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA said: "The excellent cooperation and coordination between the RTA and the Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police General HQ and driving institutes has resulted in a drop in traffic accidents fatality rate in Dubai from 21 cases per 100,000 of population in 2005 to about 12.7 cases per 100,000 cases of population in 2009."
Source
Dubai will have more than 100 pedestrian bridges within the next two years, as stated in Gulf News.
The move comes as part of Dubai Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Action Plan launched by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at the end of 2008. The plan involves infrastructure and policy improvements to create a safe walking culture.
The three-year-goal of the plan is to reduce pedestrian accidents by 30 per cent and achieve an increase of 20 per cent in pedestrian traffic by 2012.
"We are well on track as we will have around 100 pedestrian bridges in addition to tens of dozens of normal crossings by 2012 compared to 16 pedestrian bridges in 2007," a senior RTA official told Gulf News.
He added that the RTA built eight pedestrian bridges in 2008, bringing the total number to 22. The number of pedestrian bridges increased to 40 by the end of 2009, including the bridges linked to the Dubai Metro stations.
The official said that construction on at least 16 pedestrian bridges is on the cards. There are slight changes in the specifications and the completion time has been extended. The more than 100 pedestrian bridges by 2012 will include 47 metro station bridges when all the Metro stations on the Red and the Green Line open by the end of 2011.
Most of the new bridges will be air-conditioned and have escalators and elevators. Existing crossings will be replaced with new ones in phases.
"Our long-term vision is to have ‘zero fatalities' with regard to pedestrian fatalities from the road network," the official added.
According to RTA statistics, 69 pedestrians were killed on Dubai Roads in 2001. There were 145 deaths in 2007, which accounted for 44 per cent of the total road fatalities.
Pedestrian fatalities dropped 27 per cent to 106 in 2008 and fell to 70 in 2009, thanks to new pedestrian bridges and zebra crossings equipped with signals.
"Reduced pedestrian fatalities is a big achievement and we are well on target to make Dubai pedestrian-friendly city," said the official.
Pedestrians have been warned that crossing the road in undesignated areas, especially on a road that has a speed limit above 80 km per hour, carries a fine of Dh200.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA said: "The excellent cooperation and coordination between the RTA and the Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police General HQ and driving institutes has resulted in a drop in traffic accidents fatality rate in Dubai from 21 cases per 100,000 of population in 2005 to about 12.7 cases per 100,000 cases of population in 2009."
Source
Countdown to the Dubai World Cup
It's the world's richest horse race attracting the creme de la creme of the racing community and it's back.
Celebrating 15 years of racing action and off-track style, The Dubai World Cup is the "must-attend" event on the social calendar.
Recognised on a global scale as an annual event just as much about fashion and style as the racing, it's not only the horses who grab the limelight.
A new home, fancy new hotel, spa and restaurants, The Dubai World Cup also marks the official launch of Meydan - the shiny new race course which replaces Nad Al Sheba.
Expect an opening extravaganza featuring a sensorial, historical and emotional journey through Dubai's history, equine heritage and the creation of Meydan.
Better yet, look forward to a breath-taking firework display courtesy of Phil Grucci - the man behind the pyrotechnics at the Beijing Olympics and the opening of Atlantis The Palm.
Recognised on a global scale as an annual event just as much about fashion and style as the racing, it's not only the horses who grab the limelight.
A new home, fancy new hotel, spa and restaurants, The Dubai World Cup also marks the official launch of Meydan - the shiny new race course which replaces Nad Al Sheba.
Expect an opening extravaganza featuring a sensorial, historical and emotional journey through Dubai's history, equine heritage and the creation of Meydan.
Better yet, look forward to a breath-taking firework display courtesy of Phil Grucci - the man behind the pyrotechnics at the Beijing Olympics and the opening of Atlantis The Palm.
Water scarcity and quality remain biggest problems
The biggest problem with water is, and will remain, scarcity and quality says Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water
Dubai: UAE residents are still among the largest water consumers in the world, with a daily consumption of around 550 litres per day three times the global average, according to experts.
The biggest problem with water is, and will remain, scarcity and quality said Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water. Speaking to commemorate World Water Day, Bin Fahd said water is essential for urban development and plays a fundamental role in life.
World Day for Water is celebrated by the General Assembly of the United Nations every March 22. The slogan being observed for 2010 is, "Clean Water for Healthy World".
The day aims to raise awareness on the sustainable ecosystems and human well-being and addressing the growing challenges in the field of water management in order to achieve better water quality.
"The issue of water quality and the rationalisation of consumption is not only the responsibility of the State and all its bodies, but also certainly the responsibility of all residents. Children should be taught within the family the importance of non-pollution of water and correct the wrong behaviours that cause waste and extravagance of this vital resource," he said.
"The emphasis is also on the private sector to conserve water and minimise pollution during industrial activities."
Bin Fahd added that governments, organisations and communities all over the world should be encouraged to assume proactive roles on this issue and act to prevent pollution and set up clean-up activities.
To save water the ministry has constructed 114 dams to store a capacity of 118 million cubic metres of water. It is estimated that 19.2 million cubic metres of water per year is needed to feed the aquifers with fresh water.
Desalination, a necessary but energy-intensive technology, produces 1.3 billion cubic metres of fresh water to meet the needs of the population and industry. Around 400 million cubic metres of water is produced from treated greywater to irrigate parks.
In collaboration with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, the ministry is looking to develop fodder grown in saline water.
The Emirates Wildlife Society, in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature, which launched the ‘Heroes of the UAE' water campaign, urging residents to adopt simple tips to reduce their water wastage, just a few simple changes could save each household up to 46 per cent, or 252 litres of water per person.
Source
The biggest problem with water is, and will remain, scarcity and quality said Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water. Speaking to commemorate World Water Day, Bin Fahd said water is essential for urban development and plays a fundamental role in life.
World Day for Water is celebrated by the General Assembly of the United Nations every March 22. The slogan being observed for 2010 is, "Clean Water for Healthy World".
The day aims to raise awareness on the sustainable ecosystems and human well-being and addressing the growing challenges in the field of water management in order to achieve better water quality.
"The issue of water quality and the rationalisation of consumption is not only the responsibility of the State and all its bodies, but also certainly the responsibility of all residents. Children should be taught within the family the importance of non-pollution of water and correct the wrong behaviours that cause waste and extravagance of this vital resource," he said.
"The emphasis is also on the private sector to conserve water and minimise pollution during industrial activities."
Bin Fahd added that governments, organisations and communities all over the world should be encouraged to assume proactive roles on this issue and act to prevent pollution and set up clean-up activities.
To save water the ministry has constructed 114 dams to store a capacity of 118 million cubic metres of water. It is estimated that 19.2 million cubic metres of water per year is needed to feed the aquifers with fresh water.
Desalination, a necessary but energy-intensive technology, produces 1.3 billion cubic metres of fresh water to meet the needs of the population and industry. Around 400 million cubic metres of water is produced from treated greywater to irrigate parks.
In collaboration with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, the ministry is looking to develop fodder grown in saline water.
The Emirates Wildlife Society, in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature, which launched the ‘Heroes of the UAE' water campaign, urging residents to adopt simple tips to reduce their water wastage, just a few simple changes could save each household up to 46 per cent, or 252 litres of water per person.
Source
UAE facing 'water crunch'
by Peter Ward
The UAE is facing a water shortage and demand could outstrip supply by 2012, the Minister of Environment and Water has revealed.
Speaking exclusively to Utilities-ME.com at the launch of the UAE’s water conservation campaign, H.E Dr Rashid Bin Fahad revealed: “The UAE is also facing a water crunch, where there is risk that demand for water could outstrip supply by 2012, due to gas shortages. Increasing supply is only part of the solution and managing demand through water conservation also has a crucial role to play.”
The Minister also stated desalination will be the main source of household water in the UAE for the long term future, despite an integrated approach being taken for water resources.
“Desalination is our main source for water for the household. So it is a main source. We are looking at integrated water management. We have ground water and we have the reuse of wastewater which has been high in the last year. We are looking at all of the sources and not just desalination.”
In order to tackle this growing problem, the EAD and ADWEA have announced a scheme to install water saving devices in buildings in the Emirate. “EAD and Adwea will also be installing water saving devices for free in mosques, schools, commercial and government buildings, and households throughout 2010 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These devices will reduce the water consumption of the Emirate by 30%, and will have a significant positive impact on the environment,” said Bin Fahad.
The UAE is facing a water shortage and demand could outstrip supply by 2012, the Minister of Environment and Water has revealed.
Speaking exclusively to Utilities-ME.com at the launch of the UAE’s water conservation campaign, H.E Dr Rashid Bin Fahad revealed: “The UAE is also facing a water crunch, where there is risk that demand for water could outstrip supply by 2012, due to gas shortages. Increasing supply is only part of the solution and managing demand through water conservation also has a crucial role to play.”
The Minister also stated desalination will be the main source of household water in the UAE for the long term future, despite an integrated approach being taken for water resources.
“Desalination is our main source for water for the household. So it is a main source. We are looking at integrated water management. We have ground water and we have the reuse of wastewater which has been high in the last year. We are looking at all of the sources and not just desalination.”
In order to tackle this growing problem, the EAD and ADWEA have announced a scheme to install water saving devices in buildings in the Emirate. “EAD and Adwea will also be installing water saving devices for free in mosques, schools, commercial and government buildings, and households throughout 2010 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These devices will reduce the water consumption of the Emirate by 30%, and will have a significant positive impact on the environment,” said Bin Fahad.
World's tallest hotel opens in Dubai
Rose Rayhaan by Rotana has been officially certified by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest hotel.
Dubai: Dubai broke another world record on Wednesday by inaugurating the tallest hotel.
Rose Rayhaan by Rotana has been officially certified by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest hotel.
At 333 metres it is five metres higher than its rival in Bangkok, and is located on Shaikh Zayed Road, close to the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Built by the Arabian Contracting Company, the hotel cost $180 million (Dh660.6 million).
Construction started in 2004 and was completed in April 2009.
"We were looking to create something different in Dubai," said Ayad Hamadi, Director of Engineering.
"We had a very small plot of land, only 10,000 square feet, and we had to think how we were going to build such a tall tower with such a limited area. The proportion of the height to the area was a big challenge," he said.
The hotel, which held its soft opening two weeks ago, has had room occupancy of 25 per cent, said Omar Kaddouri, Rotana's Senior Vice-President of UAE Operations.
It has 72 floors and has 482 rooms including suits and penthouses. However, the highest rooms are located on the 65th floor. From here one gets a wide view of Dubai and its famous landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, The World and Burj Al Arab.
To draw more visitors, the hotel is temporarily offering low opening rates. "The opening rate of Dh400 a room is our biggest promotion," Daniel Mathew, General Manager, said.
Vantage point
The management also expects the location to help attract more customers.
"We're expecting it to get busy at the end of the month because we are approaching the Arab Health Congress from January 25 to 28, which is one of the largest trade shows in the health industry," Mathew said. "Because of our proximity to the Trade Centre, we are expecting a lot of customers."
"Being the tallest in the world isn't the only aspect and isn't what's going to make us fill up this hotel," Kaddouri said.
The Rose Rayhaan is also an alcohol-free hotel catering to families and residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
"Being a non-alcoholic hotel is an advantage because we have a niche in the market," Mathew said. "We attract people from the GCC, China and Iran."
Mathew said the management seeks 65 per cent average occupancy. "Some days will be busy, some will not. It's about how you get creative to balance your occupancy," he said.
Fast facts
* Rose Rayhaan is 333 metres high.
* It has 72 floors, but the highest floor for rooms is 65.
* It has 482 rooms.
* It has 8 meeting rooms, three food and beverage venues, a fitness club and an outdoor swimming.
* Around 300 employees work in the property.
Source
Dubai: Dubai broke another world record on Wednesday by inaugurating the tallest hotel.
Rose Rayhaan by Rotana has been officially certified by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest hotel.
At 333 metres it is five metres higher than its rival in Bangkok, and is located on Shaikh Zayed Road, close to the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Built by the Arabian Contracting Company, the hotel cost $180 million (Dh660.6 million).
Construction started in 2004 and was completed in April 2009.
"We were looking to create something different in Dubai," said Ayad Hamadi, Director of Engineering.
"We had a very small plot of land, only 10,000 square feet, and we had to think how we were going to build such a tall tower with such a limited area. The proportion of the height to the area was a big challenge," he said.
The hotel, which held its soft opening two weeks ago, has had room occupancy of 25 per cent, said Omar Kaddouri, Rotana's Senior Vice-President of UAE Operations.
It has 72 floors and has 482 rooms including suits and penthouses. However, the highest rooms are located on the 65th floor. From here one gets a wide view of Dubai and its famous landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, The World and Burj Al Arab.
To draw more visitors, the hotel is temporarily offering low opening rates. "The opening rate of Dh400 a room is our biggest promotion," Daniel Mathew, General Manager, said.
Vantage point
The management also expects the location to help attract more customers.
"We're expecting it to get busy at the end of the month because we are approaching the Arab Health Congress from January 25 to 28, which is one of the largest trade shows in the health industry," Mathew said. "Because of our proximity to the Trade Centre, we are expecting a lot of customers."
"Being the tallest in the world isn't the only aspect and isn't what's going to make us fill up this hotel," Kaddouri said.
The Rose Rayhaan is also an alcohol-free hotel catering to families and residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
"Being a non-alcoholic hotel is an advantage because we have a niche in the market," Mathew said. "We attract people from the GCC, China and Iran."
Mathew said the management seeks 65 per cent average occupancy. "Some days will be busy, some will not. It's about how you get creative to balance your occupancy," he said.
Fast facts
* Rose Rayhaan is 333 metres high.
* It has 72 floors, but the highest floor for rooms is 65.
* It has 482 rooms.
* It has 8 meeting rooms, three food and beverage venues, a fitness club and an outdoor swimming.
* Around 300 employees work in the property.
Source
Metric move gains pace at pumps across UAE
Across the UAE, 122 fuel stations have adopted the new system, shifting from the gallon.
Abu Dhabi: A total of 122 fuelling stations across the country have adopted the litre instead of the imperial gallon as a unit of measurement, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Mohammad Saleh Badri, Acting Director-General of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma), said the conversion from the gallon to the litre by all oil companies and corporations operating in the country from January 1, 2010 for a period of four months was in line with UAE Cabinet Decision No. 31 of 2006 on the national system of measurement, which mandates the use of the International System of units (SI) as a basis for the legal units of measurement in the country.
Decree
Accordingly the UAE Cabinet issued Decree No. 270/3 in 2009 stating petrol will be sold in litres instead of gallons effective January 1.
The imperial gallon equals approximately 4.5 litres.
Badri also emphasised that the main aim of Esma is to build quality infrastructure for the country through traceable and reliable measurements, which enhance the national economy and enable UAE products to compete effectively on global markets.
‘'Since the new measurement went into effect from 1st of January 2010 up to yesterday, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) Distribution has converted dispenser gauges in 21 stations in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.
The number for Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) was 12 in Dubai and for Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) it was 89 in Dubai and the northern emirates,'' he added.
He also focused on the importance of changing the unit of measurement in line with international practices.
Source
Abu Dhabi: A total of 122 fuelling stations across the country have adopted the litre instead of the imperial gallon as a unit of measurement, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Mohammad Saleh Badri, Acting Director-General of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma), said the conversion from the gallon to the litre by all oil companies and corporations operating in the country from January 1, 2010 for a period of four months was in line with UAE Cabinet Decision No. 31 of 2006 on the national system of measurement, which mandates the use of the International System of units (SI) as a basis for the legal units of measurement in the country.
Decree
Accordingly the UAE Cabinet issued Decree No. 270/3 in 2009 stating petrol will be sold in litres instead of gallons effective January 1.
The imperial gallon equals approximately 4.5 litres.
Badri also emphasised that the main aim of Esma is to build quality infrastructure for the country through traceable and reliable measurements, which enhance the national economy and enable UAE products to compete effectively on global markets.
‘'Since the new measurement went into effect from 1st of January 2010 up to yesterday, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) Distribution has converted dispenser gauges in 21 stations in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.
The number for Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) was 12 in Dubai and for Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) it was 89 in Dubai and the northern emirates,'' he added.
He also focused on the importance of changing the unit of measurement in line with international practices.
Source
