Smart City to get 'Green' tag

The proposed Smart City at Kochi is expected to be a 'green' venture.

According to its promoters, Dubai-based Tecom Investments, the project is to be constructed by adopting globally-benchmarked environmentally-friendly practices that will make its developments highly energy and resource efficient.

Tecom will design, construct and operate developments in each of its knowledge-based industry clusters according to the guidelines of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a certification programme for sustainable buildings.

The Smart City would partner Tecom Investments arm Sustainable Design Consultants (SDC) to implement sustainable development practices in a range of areas that will enable it to achieve LEED certification.

Adding that project would seek to create a network of industry clusters that will support the growth and development of knowledge-based companies across the world, Smart City executive director Fareed Abdulrahman pointed out in a communication that "environmentally sound practices benefit not only our customers but also the communities our projects are part of. Going green also makes sound economic sense and enhances the long-term profitability and productivity of the Smart City project. Drawing on the expertise of SDC, we look forward to building a solid foundation for sustainable development."

He said the SDC team would work closely with Smart City in aligning the operations of its projects to global standards of sustainable development.

Expected to be non-wasteful and non-polluting as well as flexible and adaptable for long-term functionality, the Smart City's 'green' buildings would ensure that knowledge workers work in a productive and healthy environment.

Based on the successful cluster models of the Dubai Internet City and the Dubai Media City, the Smart City will provide infrastructure for knowledge-based companies in addition to a one-stop shop of business support services and a range of retail, hospitality, residential and recreational facilities.