As the sustainable real estate movement gains rapid ground globally and homeowners seek to invest in energy-efficient and emissions-free properties with an eye on the future, Sharjah Sustainable City has swiftly emerged as a pioneer of sustainable development in the region, and a highly sought-after villa community in Sharjah.
A joint venture between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Diamond Developers, Sharjah Sustainable City marks an environmental leap in the UAE with villas powered by their own rooftop solar panels, a waste-to-energy biogas plant, driverless shuttles and the facility to grow vegetables and greens onsite through vertical farming in its biodomes.
A world-class mixed-use development that meets the highest standards of social, environmental and economic sustainability, Sharjah Sustainable City is a villa community in Al Rahmaniyah area of Sharjah extending over an area of 825,000 square feet, and comprises 1,250 sustainable villas divided into blocks of 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom properties ranging between 2,035 sq. ft. to 3,818 sq. ft in built-up area.
As the first sustainable development in the emirate, Sharjah Sustainable City aims to create a net-zero community with reduced carbon footprint and major savings on energy consumption and bills. The project’s green credentials and world-class features has led to such an overwhelming demand that the eco-friendly villa community in Sharjah recently sold out its first two phases, and recently started selling a total of 324 stunning villas with prices starting from AED 1.39 million for its third phase.
But unlike many other so-called green projects, the eco-friendly appeal of Sharjah Sustainable City is ingrained in the project’s scope right from design and inception. That’s why the community is able to lower its energy consumption using engineering and design tools, and also maximise solar production from rooftop modules.
The 3, 4 and 5-bedroom villas of phase three come configured in a variety of layouts and views, and are nestled in an environment designed to improve the quality of life for residents without compromising the needs of future generations, as well as creating inspiring opportunities to minimise the community’s carbon footprint.
The building envelope for every villa at Sharjah Sustainable City uses Precast Wall Panels, reducing the construction waste volume compared to cast in-situ, and lowers the total Embodied Carbon. Windows, including glazing and sections, are thermally insulated to reduce heat gains and airconditioning, thereby leading to substantial energy savings for property owners and the community. Light-colored pavers in all outdoor areas reduce thermal discomfort during summer months and improves the microclimate.
In addition, all villas are equipped with energy-efficient appliances to reduce electricity consumption including energy-efficient AC system (VRF), LED lighting, as well as smart and energy-efficient home appliances such as fridge, microwave, dishwasher and washing machines.
Rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on all the villas areas help offset up to 50% of the energy consumed, while the solar PV on all the parking areas offsets 100% of electricity consumption in the common areas. Monitoring devices also allow residents to track their water and energy consumption in real time.
A major feature of the project is the biogas plant that treats organic waste (food waste, green waste, and sludge) and converts a waste problem into a resource through electricity and/or thermal energy. Residues from the biogas plant are dried and used as fertilizer for landscaping, while the central “green spine” houses the greenhouses for vertical farming.
A Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to treat wastewater also produces Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) for landscape irrigation, achieving 100% water recycling, and avoiding emissions associated with tankers. The project also boasts of low-flow water fixtures to reduce unnecessary water consumption.
As the world embraces the journey towards net-zero and a more sustainable way of life, Sharjah Sustainable City has thus been a trailblazer to seize on the green potential of this new development paradigm, supported by the vision and sustainable development pipelines of the Sharjah government. It is set to play a pivotal role in driving the conversation around future cities that offer fully integrated communities with an eco-friendly lifestyle. This is especially critical as the region prepares to host two watershed climate conferences – COP27 at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt next month, and COP28 in the UAE next year.
With sustainable designs, spacious layouts optimising the best of natural light and heat, world-class amenities and cutting-edge smart home and energy management technologies, villas at Sharjah Sustainable City offer the best of both worlds – an attractive and future-proof investment that also offers an eco-friendly way of living and a high quality of life. Working in tandem with the Sharjah Government’s initiatives to develop sustainable social infrastructure, Sharjah Sustainable City has already laid the foundation for fulfilling the emirate’s vision of a prosperous and eco-friendly future.