Masdar City has broken ground on its 30,000sqm sustainable community, The Link. The project is slated to be a sustainable community featuring the region’s first Net Zero, energy-shared living and working facility. It will boast four low-carbon buildings with event spaces as well as retail options, recreational facilities, and outdoor plazas, that are expected to create over 2,000 jobs in the UAE.
Dutco has been signed up as the main contractor, while EDGE had designed The Link, the statement from Masdar said.
The development will offer residential units in various sizes, as well as dedicated office and commercial spaces. Amenities for residents will include a courtyard with play areas, a wellness zone, and more. The commercial space will feature retail options at the ground level. The Link is part of Masdar City’s plan for sustainable urban development and aims to connect shared working and living spaces with other community amenities.
Dutco Executive Director Zayed Baker remarked, “We’re honoured to be bringing this historic development to life. Dutco was selected in large part due to their high in-country-value (ICV) certification score, which represents the value they will add to the UAE economy.”
The Link will connect all areas of Masdar City through advanced transportation networks. It will create a transition route between the upcoming Light-Rail Transit and Group Rapid Transit networks, and offer bicycle tracks, bus connectivity, electric charging ports, car sharing facilities, and parking for 1,255 vehicles, the statement concluded.
A major sustainable development project for the region, The Link will meet several high-level sustainability standards such as Leed Platinum, WELL Gold, 4 Pearl PBRS Estidama, and LEED SmartPark Silver. The project is expected to achieve a significant reduction in energy use, powered by renewable energy sources.
Acting CEO Ahmed Baghoum commented, “It will model a new kind of sustainable community by connecting shared working and living space with other elements of a thriving neighbourhood, including places to shop, play, and relax, and local transportation. It is a key component of Masdar City’s ‘green-print’ for sustainable urban development and a wonderful way to honour this Year of Sustainability as the UAE prepares to host COP 28.”
