Dubai’s Green Vision Successfully Showcased at the 3rd Annual Middle East Smart Landscape Summit

DUBAI, UAE - May 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Dubai’s Green Vision incorporating the latest advancements in sustainable and innovative landscaping technology were showcased successfully at the 3rd Annual Middle East Smart Landscape Summit held in Dubai last week. Held under the patronage of the Dubai Municipality and produced by global conference organizers Expotrade, the summit was attended by over 400 participants.

The summit was inaugurated by Eng. Salah Amiri, Asst. Director General for Environmental & Public Health Services Sector, Dubai Municipality, in the presence of H.E. Jennes De Mol, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and H.E. Milos Perisic, Charge D'Affaires, Serbian Embassy. Eng. Salah Amiri delivered the inaugural address which emphasized the Dubai Municipality’s continued commitment towards a green Dubai in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision. Outlining the Dubai Municipality’s initiatives, he spoke on ensuring sustainability by introducing modern technologies in landscaping, irrigation and horticulture maintenance, and the implementation of a number of programs. He mentioned initiatives such as allocation of lands for green areas, provision of waste water for irrigation using special sewage treatment plants and irrigation networks, rehabilitation of horticulture companies, plant production by means of establishment of specialist nurseries and many more.

Eng. Salah Amiri’s speech was followed by a Dubai Municipality presentation on implementing sustainability across Dubai parks. The presentation detailed the Dubai Municipality’s plans to construct public/neighborhood parks, community facilities and plazas by using solar energy to power all facilities in the parks, along with operation of the lighting elements and irrigation systems for trees and green spaces, in essence, zero energy parks. Projects such as the Al-Khazzan Park and the Palm Park in Al-Awir were also discussed at length, along with the use of green materials in parks.

The Dubai Municipality's efforts towards developing the Dubai of the future was felicitated by Falconcity of Wonders, Platinum Sponsor of the summit.

A keenly-attended session was the one presented by Dr. Mario Rossi from The Office of H.H. The Crown Prince of Dubai who spoke at length on the use of aerial drones in landscape architecture and environmental design. Demonstrating an actual drone at the summit, he explained how drones could be used to survey in tough locations where remote sensing was important.

A research-based approach to urban green spaces, biodiversity and people formed the crux of The University of Sheffield’s Dr. James Hitchmough’s session. Explaining how urban landscapes in arid regions present specific challenges, Dr. Hitchmough stressed on embracing dry climates instead of eliminating them. He also emphasized the use of research and explored biodiversity in the region.

Day 1 featured sessions by speakers from W Architecture & Landscape Architecture – US, Khatib & Alami, The Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects, Qatar University and premium sponsors Falconcity of Wonders, SLA, Convic, Sites International, TigerTurf UK, Zeoplant LLC, speaking on topics including design with nature; impact of urban spaces on public health; ecological restoration; artificial turf; irrigation; living systems in Singapore and many more. The panel discussion sponsored by GrassCo & Aratex discussed artificial grass and its use in sports/recreational facilities.

Day 2 commenced with a case study discussion on integrated open space planning, followed by sessions on native plants; seawater usage;use of smart technology in public spaces and much more. Speakers included experts from Dewan Architects, Oman Botanic Garden, Diwan of Royal Court, Khatib & Alami, Woods Bagot and Arup. Day 2's panel discussion sponsored by Gulf Landscape and Irrigation Systems discussed creative greening of open spaces.

The special exhibitor lounge was a major attraction showcasing over 30 solution providers from around the globe. The event featured partnerships with major sponsors including Falconcity of Wonders, Convic, SLA, Sites International, Zeoplant, Grassco & Aratex, TigerTurf in association with Flora Engineering Services, Gulf Landscape and Irrigation Systems, Cape Reed, Gulf Perlite LLC, WT Burden Middle East, Global Light & Power LLC, Vision Project Services. The lounge featured impressive displays of innovative solutions and products from companies such as INMA Gulf, EDSA, ADFERT, Green Studios, GreenBest Ltd, Agial Art Gallery, Blue Stream LLC, Cultiwall, BMC Gulf, Corys Building Materials LLC, Galerie Tanit Beyrouth, TANSEEQ LLC, MDT-tex, CIRTA Group, ANS Global, Casa Verde – Live Wall, Easigrass, CCGrass.

Participants were impressed with the quality of the event, commenting favorably at its close. Philipp Angell, Managing Director, Vision Project Services, said, “We are very happy with the decision to attend. Within 2 days of the show we got so much contacts and interest on our product.”

John Samuel, Commercial Sales Manager, Global Light & Power LLC, said, “It was a great pleasure for our company to participate in the Landscape Summit. It was a very helpful summit as we could get good contacts and get to meet high delegates from different companies which would in turn develop our business.”

Brad Hariharan, Regional Director, Expotrade Middle East, organizers of the conference, said, “The success of the 3rd Annual Middle East Smart Landscape Summit shows that it has achieved its goal of promoting sustainable landscaping technology and best practices in the region. We are deeply honored to organize this event under the continued patronage of the Dubai Municipality. We would also like to thank all our sponsors, delegates, speakers and partners for supporting this event, and look forward to bringing the next year’s edition to this audience.”

For event details, visit www.landscapesummit.com

About Expotrade

Expotrade is a global conference and event organizer with its head office based in Melbourne, Australia and a regional office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Expotrade has delivered some of the largest, most successful B2B industry conferences and events. For almost 10 years, our unique blend of knowledge, experience and flexibility has accomplished an array of consistently top quality events. Today, Expotrade events enjoy such a distinctive edge, they are amongst the best patronized in the calendar.

For more information, visit www.expotradeglobal.com

Contact information

Rukmini Sengupta Roy

Marketing and Communications Manager

Expotrade Middle East FZ-LLC

1002 Al Thuraya Tower 2

PO Box 500686 Dubai Media City

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tel: +9714-4542135

Fax: +9714-4542136

Email: marketing@expotrade-me.com