Smart Work places in Dubai and the UAE

Q & A with our Commercial Manager, Gary Walsh on Smart Work places in Dubai and the UAE. 

Q - Do we see Dubai and property developers working more towards new age tech-driven workspaces?
 
If anyone can build a smart city to work, live and play in � Dubai can. As we head towards making Expo 2020 an environmentally sustainable event, we will see the words �Green� and �Smart� more and more. As a business hub of the world, Dubai will need to continue to offer a point of differentiation and compete with other futuristic business environments around the world. All companies are looking for the most cost-effective and environment-friendly world place � but at what cost. Grade A top tier platinum offices will need to be available but alongside affordable spaces of which there will always be a demand. As information technology becomes smaller and smarter we will see employees work more remotely from home or be sitting at smaller ergonomically designed workstations. Buildings will need to provide faster communications, more sensitive security and more high-end facilities for their occupants. Flexi hours to accommodate world business times zones ignore the �norm� as far as work hours go and need living and retail conveniences on the doorstep. Master planned developments catering to all these will flourish. 

 Q - How well is Dubai catering to the present needs of commercial spaces?  
 
There is certainly supply of commercial space but I feel that office blocks biggest challenge is providing free nearby or onsite parking. This is an issue today and considering what is expected to come online in the next 10 years, this has to be addressed. Regardless of an efficient transport system a percentage of workers still need a car during the day that has to be easily accessible.  
   
 Q -What are the challenges that the UAE property market will witness in creating the new age smart workplaces?
 
No, differently to the challenges it faces in the residential market, office buildings with all the smart technology in the world will come at a price.  Companies, as they seek more efficiencies and cost reduction in the workplace, will also be looking to secure their new �smart� office at the best price possible.

 Q -How can the traditional office supply be transformed into smart work zones?
 
I think rather than transforming, intelligence needs to be applied from the ground up.  Smart buildings are the blocks that build smart cities and this is certainly a vision of Dubai. Laid out in its Smart City initiative, Dubai�s focus is on being recognized amongst the world�s best-connected cities and certainly the world�s leading green city. Smart work zones can be achieved by occupants being more productive, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. 

 Q - Are there any offices in the UAE that are taking this futurist approach?
 
Emirates Financial Towers in DIFC is certainly a completed smart and futurist premier office building even recognized by the Guinness Book of Record for the biggest automated parking technology system. 
To be built, The Jumeirah Central mega district by Dubai Holdings is 27 million sqft on Sheik Zayed Road opposite the Mall of the Emirates and will be the futuristic city within a city. Schools, offices, parks, malls, housing all connected by a smart transports system and protected by smart police services.  

Q -Anything else you wish to add on the need for smart workplaces in the UAE?
 
As Dubai strives to deliver smarter workplaces they also need to address a smarter business set up facility.  Free zone jurisdictions have certainly streamlined the process but it is every business need to be up and running effectively and efficiently in the �smartest� way possible. Business solutions at short notice for short term needs to be more flexible on space and leases to encourage more company formations.    
 

http://gulfnews.com/business/property/the-smart-work-zone-1.2001168

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