Think Blue

OUR COASTLINES ARE UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE. HOW CAN WE SUSTAIN THEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS? BY THINKING BLUE.

Nakheel is the force behind Dubai's most iconic building projects. Developments such as the Palm Jumeirah and The World, creating land where none existed before, raised a whole series of environmental questions. Ground breaking thinking was required. This expertise now provides the springboard for a far reaching Global Charter, to define best practice in the way we develop our coastlines around the world. Nakheel is providing the drive to launch the Blue Communities initiative. It is a key part of their vision to inspire humanity. It is a call to action to the world.

By 2010, 80% of us will be living close to the sea. Yet less than 1% of global initiatives are currently seaboard focused. Recent comprehensive mapping of our oceans reveals the scale of the problem. We need cleaner water and less pollution. We need to give more thought to utilities, landscaping, marine eco-systems. We need integrated coastal developments if we are to create the best possible future for our children and live in harmony with our seas. Blue Communities will direct a spotlight on this vital global issue for the first time and provide the blueprint needed to live in partnership with the sea.

"Blue Communities is a call to action for the world."

THINK DIFFERENTLY

BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE PEOPLE WHO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WE CAN ENSURE BLUE THINKING BECOMES REALITY

Blue Communities is starting to provide the platform for everyone who cares about our seas and coastlines. We are engaging experts – such as leading academic Dr Farouk El-Baz. Most famous for his work with NASA, he is coordinating the team of expert scientists who will spearhead a lot of our work.

Beyond the scientific community, we have already brought together government ministers, NGOs, philosophers, even poets and photographers, to start defining standards and guidelines for coastal development. A steering committee has been appointed to validate goals and strategies. We have also received valuable input from businesses including Siemens, IBM and Atlantis Hotels. It is by bringing all points of view together that we can forge the most effective set of benchmarks and create a truly workable Global Charter.

“We have already brought together government ministers, NGOs, even poets.”

THINK PROTECTING MARINE SPECIES

It is estimated that 80% of life on earth is found in the sea. the space beneath the waves comprises 99% of our planet’s living space.

Thinking Blue is about helping endangered marine species and replacing stocks damaged by over fishing. There are 4,000 coral reef species, yet their habitats are coming under threat. In the Arabian Gulf we are successfully stimulating the growth of coral reef where mere sands existed before.

"In the Arabian Gulf we are successfully stimulating the growth of coral reef where mere sands existed before."

THINK WORKING TOGETHER

The best way to sustain and grow as people is for us to work in harmony. blue is bringing together people, in dubai and beyond, who share a love of, and concern for, the ocean.

Together, we will better embrace what is best in coastal living - whether it’s a sailing regatta or enjoying the sunset. We will interact in other ways too. Blue Thinking offers shared business and technology expertise. It provides contacts, both locally and globally. It enables you to share the latest ideas. Here online it will provide access to knowledge and communities, videos, books, lectures and webinars from some of the world’s leading experts on marine topics. With Blue, you are always connected.

"Blue offers shared business and technology expertise. It provides contacts, both locally and globally."

THINK BETTER COASTAL FUTURE

Thirty years ago the thriving city we call dubai barely existed. today, this remarkable, self sustaining, expanding infrastructure speaks for itself as one of the most vibrant, forward looking places on earth. nakheel is driven by its determination to embrace and expand sheikh mohammed's vision, "because of us, society, lives and expectations are forever transforming."

It is exactly these values that are central to Blue. Starting in the Gulf and spreading out to the whole world, Blue Communities are all about innovating, developing and improving our lives. Thinking Blue is about enabling economic growth to walk hand in hand with environmental responsibility. This is a long term mission centred on the positive transformation of coastal life.

"Thinking Blue is about enabling economic growth to walk hand in hand with environmental responsibility."

NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE TO COASTLINES

BLUE COMMUNITIES IN THE NEWS

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2008

World Environment Day at Ibn Battuta Mall 2008

Blue Communities is not only for governments, scientists and businesses. Every one of us can make a difference in the way we live our everyday lives.

This year’s World Environment Day provided a great opportunity to start getting our Think Blue message across and start to influence behaviour in the Arab Emirates. Dubai’s major shopping area, the Ibn Battuta Mall, was transformed for the week with banners, panels, flags and plasma screens focusing shoppers on practical ways to Think and Act Blue.

STEERING US FORWARD

For Blue Communities to create a higher quality of life for all requires focus. A Steering Committee, made up of senior Nakheel management, is now in place to validate goals and objectives, approve strategies and budgets, and set the criteria by which contributions are made to our Charter. Committee members are:

Chris O’Donnell, CEO (Chair)
Abdulrahman Kalantar, MD, Design and Development
Manal Shaheen, Director, Sales, Marketing and Customer Services
Nick Green, Director, Asset Management
Graham Dreverman, Group, Managing Director, Retail
Dr. Rula Sadik, Director, Design and Planning
Michael Nates, Senior General Manager, Sustainability, Health, Safety and Environment
Ketam Hamdan, Senior Manager Nakheel Brand

BLUE FOCUS FOR WORLD SUMMIT ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Blue Communities took centre stage at the 2008 World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Abdulrahman Kalantar of Blue Communities made a keynote speech introducing the concept of the charter and the role of Nakheel as a pioneer in sustainable coastal development. Other Blue Communities speakers included Shaun Lenehan, Nakheel’s Environmental Manager and Michael Nates, the Senior Nakheel General Manager responsible for sustainability.

Further Blue Thinking was offered by contributors from business, government and the arts, tackling topics such the first sustainable city, the conflict between environmental issues and profit, the enhancement of marine life, and the forging of Blue relationships with local and international authorities. There were also specific talks from companies involved in constructing the Palm developments, describing their Blue initiatives within these projects.

DR FAROUK EL-BAZ

To attract so eminent an academic to our cause demonstrates the importance of Blue Communities. Dr Farouk El-Baz will be responsible for bringing together the expertise needed to create our Charter for sustainable development.

Dr El-Baz graduated from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1958 and went on to study at the University of Missouri-Rolla and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined the celebrity world of the scientific community as a geologist when he joined NASA’s Apollo Space Program in 1967. He developed unique training programs for the Apollo astronauts, instructed them in lunar observations and photography, and was secretary of the committee that selected landing sites on the Moon. His achievements were not limited to NASA’s research and studies. Dr El-Baz is internationally known for pioneering work in the use of space photography to locate groundwater resources in arid terrains.

During the past 22 years, he has served as Research Professor and Director of the Boston University Center for Remote Sensing. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, as well as of its committee on the “Grand Challenges for Engineering” in the next century.