Creating happy communities

Spurred on by the UAE's goals for happiness, the real estate and construction industry has seen a shift in recent years as developers, architects and real estate professionals implement a means to impact peoples' lives positively.
Echoing numerous Dubai government initiatives, the organisers of Cityscape Global have set happiness as the overarching theme for the three-day exhibition, which returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 2-4, and at the Cityscape Conference, October 1, at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.
Tom Rhodes, Exhibition Director for the region's largest real estate development and investment show said the UAE's actions had catalysed government agencies' and local developers' efforts to focus on the overriding wellbeing of residents.
He said: "Since the inception of the nation's happiness initiative in early 2016, we've seen a definitive trend of government bodies introducing similar concepts to drive the UAE's goals for nurturing a happy, healthy population.
"The Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Real Estate Regulatory Agency have been no different and spurred on a range of master-developed communities, projects and designs aimed at creating happiness for residents, both in the projects themselves as well as the services provided.
"Local exhibitors have embraced these initiatives, with the likes of Bloom Holding, Binghatti, Damac, Dubai Holding, Mag Lifestyle Development, Meraas and Majid Al Futtaim all striving to create environments which nurture well-being.
"Through the content delivered at the Cityscape Conference and exhibited projects on the show floor, we aim to educate, encapsulate and showcase what the real estate sector offers in its endeavour to contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of citizens in the UAE."
Muhammad BinGhatti, CEO & Head of Architecture at Binghatti Holding, said: "According to a survey conducted by Service Market, the UAE's leading marketplace for home services, Dubai Silicon Oasis is amongst the three happiest areas in Dubai.
"We are proud to be the main developer in this area, and we are working on contributing to the happiness of other communities such as Business Bay through different projects including Millennium Binghatti Residences that offers a luxurious lifestyle that ensures happiness and comfort.
"We are proud to champion the UAE's vision to always aim for number one in all aspects of life. We positively embrace challenges and overcome them on a continuous basis, and this has been the leading force behind Binghatti's vast contribution in adding value to the UAE economy and people's lives and happiness."
Robert Jackson, Regional Director, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) believes that the ultimate reward from the Fourth Industrial Revolution should be happiness.
He said: "Happiness in a real estate community is essentially creating a place where people want to be; somewhere that makes a positive difference to peoples' everyday lives. A community where residents feel a sense of unity with collaborative initiatives at the forefront. It is driven by transparency, active management and involvement in how the community evolves and functions with efficiency and fairness, where all residents have access to basic amenities.
"This is achieved by providing improved standards of living, enhanced safety and security, with the wellbeing of residents central to all community planning.
"We are seeing more collaboration between planners, developers and end users in the creation of urban areas that are centred on wellbeing and sustainable living that fosters a sense of community in its residents."
Hosted at the InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, the Cityscape Conference theme is "Stepping into the urban future: happiness, innovation and technology", and will include a number of keynote talks and panel discussions on wellness and happiness.

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