Jointly Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Lusail Real Estate Development Company (LREDC) in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Doha, planted dozens of trees using Dutch innovative technology in water conservation, as the under-construction city continues its push to become the region’s most sustainable community.

Senior officials from the company reiterated the commitment to embracing sustainable solutions in realizing the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 at an event officially marking a joint initiative between LREDC and the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Doha.

Titled, “At the water’s edge: exploring the potential for Dutch-Qatari cooperation in water technology”, under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, the seminar was attended by LREDC senior leadership, representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Qatari Counterparts and other distinguished stakeholders. The seminar opens the door for sharing more Dutch innovative technologies in the water management, water saving, water treatment and consultancy fields provided by Dutch companies such as :TNO, Royal Haskoning-DHV, Groasis, Norit and Dacom.

The cooperation between LREDC and the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands builds on a joint pilot project that got underway on 11 July 2012, where Lusail City began planting self-contained saplings using the Groasis Waterboxx technology from The Netherlands.

The Groasis technology is a planting technology, and not a way of irrigation with water savings of up to 90% compared to other traditional irrigation methods during the first year. If successful, the technology has the potential to revolutionize the green landscape in the generally arid Qatar.

“Lusail City is leading the Green Cities legacy is already the first in Qatar to have adopted our home-grown Qatar Sustainability Assessment System. We take great pride in partnering with the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Qatar, the Municipality of Doha and other partners on this joint pilot project that involves the use of “Groasis Waterboxx,” said Eng. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaldari, CEO of LREDC.

“…our partnership on this project embodies more than just a tree-planting opportunity. As an instigator of sustainable developments in Qatar, LREDC will continue to embrace sustainable solutions that will lead to a lasting social, economic and environmental legacy,” added Kaldari.

As part of the pilot project, at least 10 saplings have been planted at Qatari Diar headquarters’ entrance while 130 more will be planted soon at Al Qutaifiya Lagoon in West Bay.

Sheikh Dr. Faleh Bin Naser Al Thani, Undersecretary for Agriculture, Fishery and Animal Livestock Affairs at the Ministry of Environment, said, “Qatar’s insistence on finding sustainable solutions to challenges such as food security or water shortages has resulted in opening up of highly important areas for cooperation. It is indeed a pleasure to witness such a unique event today, where technology providers from The Netherlands have found a like-minded partner in Qatar in LREDC.”

“We would like to thank the Embassy of The Netherlands in Doha for their fine cooperation and efforts in strengthening the ties with the Government of Qatar at all levels, and also we would like to thank Lusail and Qatari Diar for contributing to Qatar’s commitment to sustainability,” said Sheikh Faleh.

Groasis waterboxx collects the dew water then directly push it to the plants’ roots through the absorption and feeding process. The box needs to be filled only once at the launch of the cycle which lasts several continuous months without the need of refilling.

“The name ‘At the water’s edge’ evokes geographical locations of Qatar and The Netherlands,” said John Groffen, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Doha, in reference to the similar challenges both countries face on water management, while adding that “it also brings to my mind something more abstract: two countries that use innovative technology that is on the edge of developments in the field of water management.”

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/lusail-cooperation-netherlands-advance-sustainable-front-314699