Wasl seeks advice on sustainable development

source Gulf News

Dubai: Wasl, the asset management group owned by Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC), on Saturday announced plans to seek expert advice from Dr Edward Blakely, an internationally acclaimed strategist in urban planning and re-development, to assist wasl in developing its strategy on 'corporate sustainability', in areas such as urban redevelopment and regeneration.

In response to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai's directive mandating developers to comply with green building standards, Dr Blakely has been approached by wasl for expert guidance on its approach to sustainable development to ensure that it plays a major role in supporting Dubai's vision of becoming a 'Global City'.

Specific role

Welcoming Dr Blakely's involvement with wasl, Hesham Al Qasim, CEO of Dubai Real Estate Corporation said: "wasl has a very specific role to play in Dubai and longer term in the wider region as a government aligned corporation. We are working towards a 'triple bottom line' approach to corporate sustainability, covering the economic, social and environmental dimensions and acknowledge the unique and challenging opportunities and associated responsibility that these represent."

"We aim to become one of the leaders in implementing best corporate sustainability business practice in Dubai and, in the future, internationally. Dr Blakely's involvement in this initiative will be facilitated through a series of workshops being conducted internally with the participation of our strategic partners and external stakeholders," he added.

With more than 30 years of professional experience, Dr Blakely is an international scholar and practitioner in the fields of planning and economic development. His professional and academic experience includes teaching, research, academic administration, and economic development policy.