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The challenge of keeping Dubai's US$ 4.5 billion metro project on track.

 
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7 Apr 2008

The substantial challenges presented by the construction of Dubai’s $4.5 billion Metro – the most ambitious transportation project in the Middle East – are to be highlighted at a special one-day conference on April 14.

The Engineering Challenges 2008 conference taking place at the Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men’s College campus will examine the engineering challenges shaping the sustainable future of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Among them will be the Metro project which is at the heart of Dubai's transport infrastructure investment and has presented many challenges to engineers.

“The Dubai Metro represents a substantial challenge combining what is currently the world’s largest public transport project with a fast track programme and within the constraints of the ever-changing urban landscape of Dubai,” said Dan Savage, Design Manager for the above ground stations of Dubai Metro for Atkins & Partners Overseas, who will be making the presentation.

The impact of the stations on local utilities and how routing was successfully agreed with appropriate authorities will be examined in the presentation along with sustainable design elements of the project. Savage has been on the Metro project since inception in 2005, responsible for the management of an international design team.

The challenge of keeping Dubai's US$ 4.5 billion metro project on track.

The metro is being built to address Dubai’s chronic road congestion and increasing pollution. Dubai's population is expected to reach 5.25 million by 2020 and improving mobility within the rapidly expanding city is seen as vital for future economic growth.

Long elevated sections of the initial two Metro lines – the Red and Green Lines - are clearly visible across the city. Service on the 52 kilometre Red Line is scheduled to begin in September next year with the 22 kilometre Green Line following in March 2010.

Steelwork is now being erected for the elevated stations on the Red Line with nearly 25,000 tonnes of steel required. The 24 stations will be elliptical in shape with the principal design philosophy being to wrap the station around the tracks.
The stations, walkways and footbridges will all be air-conditioned, with dedicated car parks and integrated links taking passengers to buses, taxis and water taxis.

HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology will deliver the conference opening address, and the event will coincide with the official opening of the Higher Colleges of Technology Centre of Engineering Excellence at Dubai Men’s College.

The gathering of 1,000 delegates consisting of industry leaders, engineering professionals, educators and engineering students will provide a platform to discuss industry best practice, solutions to the impending skills shortage and ways in which innovation can overcome the unique challenges facing the region’s engineering projects. Among the other topics to be covered will be engineering the marine and coastal landscape of Dubai, women in engineering, investing in innovation in the clean tech space, water quality management at the lagoons, and the Burj Dubai project.

Dr Philip Hicks, Director, Dubai Men’s College, commented, “Recruiting suitably qualified graduates is fundamental for many design-led human capital strategies. With so many unique projects in the UAE alone, there are no off-the-peg solutions. The skills required to complete these projects are in short supply and the only effective way to address this issue is through education, with industry taking a partnership role.”

Underscoring the importance of forging commercial and academic links between education institutions and industry, Dubai Engineering Challenges 2008 is receiving widespread industry support. Sponsors include Emaar Industries & Investments, Khansaheb Civil Engineering, ESR Technology, Otis, UNIMIX,
Hyder Consulting Middle East, Mouchel, and China State Construction Engineering Corp Middle East. Supporting partners include StudioArt for creative production and ITP Publishing Group for media. The conference is being held in association with UAE Society of Engineers.



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