The Rise of Eco-Friendly Properties in Dubai | betterhomes

The world is facing environmental challenges, and as a result, the population of many species are becoming distinct. Dubai has recognised this threat early and shifted towards sustainable and eco-friendly real estate projects. Unlike traditional construction methods, eco-friendly projects use innovative designs, technologies, and practices ideal for a sustainable environment. These projects aim to save energy and water, manage waste, and create green spaces. So, where can you find eco-friendly properties in Dubai, and what can you expect in these developments? Let’s explore.

Sustainable City

The Sustainable City, developed by Diamond Developers, was established in 2015. It is one of the most popular environment-friendly and self-sustaining communities. It is also the first zero-energy development in the UAE. The community has 500 villas featuring solar panels and energy-efficient appliances designed to reduce electricity and water bills by 50%. Along with this, these homes include systems for recycling water and waste. Each villa has two parking spaces with built-in solar panels that provide electricity for street lighting and car charging.

Key Highlights

The Sustainable Plaza in the development features offices, retail shops, and restaurants.
Eleven bio-dome greenhouses cover an area of 3,000 square metres for urban farming.
Zoom supermarket serves the resident's grocery needs.
Fairgreen International School is located within the community.
The development has a multi-service clinic and a 24-hour pharmacy.

Properties in Sustainable City

Sustainable City offers villas and townhouses ranging from three to five bedrooms.

Property Type	Average Sales Price	Average Rent (Annual
Three bed	AED 3,684,800	AED 213,850
Four bed	AED 4,505,425	AED 250,980
Five bed	AED 11,250,000	AED 450,000

Source: Property Monitor

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a high-end villa community by Ellington Properties located in Mohammed Bin Rashid City. It is under construction and expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The Sanctuary will feature four—to six-bedroom villas equipped with low-noise cooling systems, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and energy-efficient lighting. The community will also have a hypermarket, Meydan One Mall, 550 retail outlets, and 180 restaurants.

Key Highlights

Features several facilities and waterfront attractions.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in bedrooms.
Easy access to Al Ain Dubai Road.
Less than 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport.

Property Prices

Villa Type	Sales Price
Four bed	Starting from AED 16,174,000
Five bed	Starting from AED 18,500,000
Six bed	Starting from AED 23,000,000

Source: Property Monitor

Payment Plan

Down Payment - 20%

During Construction - 50%

Handover - 30%

Kensington Waters

Kensington Waters is a 12-storey multi-building complex that blends luxury living with environmental responsibility. It is a project by Ellington Properties in Sobha Hartland, Mohammed Bin Rashid City. The two residential towers, Tower A and Tower B incorporate energy-efficient design, low-flow sanitary ware, and LED lighting to minimise energy consumption. The buildings used sustainable materials and local sourcing to reduce the carbon footprint associated with construction. The development has sustainable amenities such as electric vehicle charging stations and dedicated bike parking.

Key Highlights

The podium roof between the towers has a swimming pool, gymnasium, barbecue area, children's pool, and indoor play area.
It takes only 14 minutes to drive to Dubai Mall.
The building is close to Gala Supermarket, Yallamart, and Choithrams.

Property Types and Prices

Kensington Waters offers studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments from 460 sq. ft. to 2,035 sq. ft. Their prices are

Property Type	Average Price
Studio	AED 920,000
One bed	AED 1,380,000
Two bed	AED 2,150,000
Three bed	AED 3,341,800

Al Barari

Al Barari is a well-established gated community in Dubailand renowned for its commitment to sustainability and the preservation of nature. The eco-friendly project, developed by Al Barari Developers, offers two phases of luxury villas and apartments. Al Barari incorporates energy-efficient features, water-saving fixtures, and sustainable materials throughout its properties. The development's botanical gardens, including the region's largest privately-owned plant nursery, contribute to biodiversity conservation and provide residents with a serene and sustainable living environment.

Key Highlights

80% of the development is dedicated to beautifully maintained themed gardens, botanical areas, natural lakes, and freshwater streams.
The Residences consist of 189 luxury villas arranged in clusters shaped like leaves in four styles: Acacia, Bromellia, Camellia, and Dahlia.
It takes 27 minutes to drive to Dubai Mall.

Property Prices

Al Barari has a wide range of apartments and villas.

Property Type	Sales Price	Annual Rent
One-Bed Apartment	AED 2,566,900	AED 169,170
Two-Bed Apartment	AED 4,735,625	AED 313,114
Three-Bed Apartment	AED 8,068,750	AED 486,276
Four-Bed Villa	AED 5,651,640	AED 1,143,350
Five-Bed Villa	AED 15,100,390	AED 903,785
Six-Bed Villa	AED 23,868,750	AED 1,145,060

Source: Property Monitor

Jumeirah Golf Estates

Jumeirah Golf Estates is a residential community combining eco-friendly living with world-class golf courses. The community offers a mix of villas, townhouses and buy property in Jumeirah Golf Estates featuring sustainable design elements, energy-efficient systems, and green spaces. It also has cycling paths, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and easy access to mass transit options. The recent extension of the Dubai Metro route on the Red Line has made it a prime residential location.

Key Highlights

The area has 16 communities built around two golf courses, Fire and Earth. These courses host the DP World Tour Championship.
In the future, there are plans to add two more golf courses, named Water and Wind.
75% of the properties in the community have views of the golf courses, and the rest face lakes and nature strips.
It is 20 minutes away from Palm Jumeirah.

Property Prices

The average sales and rental prices of villas, townhouses and apartments in Jumeirah Golf Estates are:

Property Type	Sales Price	Annual Rent
Villa	AED 10,894,000	AED 978,968
Townhouse	AED 4,702,475	AED 685,550
Apartment	AED 1,631,935	AED 259,760

Source: Property Monitor

Conclusion

Dubai's real estate sector is witnessing a remarkable rise in eco-friendly property developments. Projects such as Sustainable City, The Sanctuary, Kensington Waters, Al Barari, and Jumeirah Golf Estates lead the way by showcasing innovative design, sustainable practices, and luxurious living. These developments prioritise energy efficiency, utilise sustainable materials, incorporate green spaces, and promote eco-friendly amenities. By embracing environmental consciousness, these projects contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Dubai.