RTA Bags Dubai International Award For Best Practices To Improve The Living Environment

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently clinched the Dubai International Award for Best Practices (DIABP) in the category of Improving the Living Environment, during the ninth renewal of the Award which is held by the Municipality of Dubai and the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat).

This prestigious Award is privileged by the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, to honour the practices which contribute positively to improving the living environment. The Dubai Metro project, comprising the Red & Green Lines delivered by the RTA, emerged as the winner in recognition of its substantial implications on the fields of public health, environment and the economy of Dubai inhabitants, thanks to its evident contribution in terms of easing the mobility within the Emirate as it lifted 178 million riders last year, reducing carbon footprint by as much as 220 tons daily (set to rise to 420 tons daily by 2020), providing affordable public transport as an alternative to private vehicles, improving the traffic condition in some key areas by 25 per cent, and appreciating the value of properties neighbouring the metro track by 20 per cent. The project has thus earned the billing as part of the useful and significant practices in the Arab region.

RTA winning of this Award came right from the first bid in a file that was well coordinated between the Department of Development and Corporate Performance and Rail Planning & Project Development Department at the RTA, encompassing 12 successful practices that went through to the final stage, comprising 48 bids selected from an overall pool of 395 submissions made from different countries across the globe.

The 9th edition of the DIABP saw wide participation and intense competition, given the high and rousing profile of the Award in every renewal, particularly as it is closely linked with the noble human causes oriented to the benefit of human communities; unearthing sound practices in terms of quality & excellence. So it was thrilling to note the Dubai Metro, consisting of both the Red and Green Lines, was one of these stunning models. The Award has a select panel of 14 technical experts and academic figures with quality contributions to the Habitat Program, attending to screening and auditing submissions made for the Award.

“Winning this prestigious Award is a testament to RTA’s commitment to live up to the objectives of the UAE and Dubai Emirate in achieving the sustainable development of human settlements and protecting the environment as well as the public health through achievements made,” said Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of RTA Rail Agency. “Winning the accolade by the Dubai Metro Red & Green Lines underscores RTA’s keenness to broaden the scope of the Dubai Metro project from just a project to improve transit means, infrastructure and traffic flow, to enhancing the concept of using clean energy along with the associated environmental conservation efforts aligned with the highest global standards and other benefits adding to the improved living environment,” he continued.

“RTA Dubai Metro’s submission included specific scientific details addressing the objectives of the Award, particularly noting that the Project already boasts a global repute and entered the Guinness Records as the world’s longest driverless metro line,” said Abdul-Mohsin Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector. “Thus winning this Award showcases the characteristics of the project in improving the living conditions of Dubai populace, and spotlights the positive repercussions it made on the business, tourist and real estate activities, meriting it to rank among the top 12 useful practices worldwide,” he added.

It should be noted that the Award, which had been unveiled during the Dubai Conference on International Settlements in 1995, has since shaped into a lofty platform for recognizing positive practices in improving the living environment within the perimeters recommended by the 2nd United Nations Conference on Human Settlements and the Dubai Declaration. The Award is presented biannually and is open for individuals as well as public & private entities that have had tangible impact on the domain of the Award.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jan 28, 2013

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