Oct 7, 2016 | By Tess
Dubai is quickly becoming one of the most ambitious cities in the world for 3D printing. As we’ve written about extensively, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has laid out a 3D Printing Strategy which will seek to make Dubai one of the most forward thinking 3D printing cities in the world by 2030. Included in the strategy are three main areas of focus: medical, consumer products, and construction, and so far it seems that DEWA has been making some real strides with the strategy’s progress.
After having announced that it plans to 3D print 25% of its buildings by 2030, and after having unveiled the first 3D printed office building, as well as plans to build the first 3D printed laboratory, Dubai has just announced that it will also soon build its first fully residential structure. The building, as Saif Al Aleeli, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Future Foundation, explains is a big step in realizing the aim to have 25% of all new buildings 3D printed.
Dubai's 3D printed office building
As of yet, not many details have been released about the upcoming project—such as where the 3D printed residential building will be located (though it is possible it will be built at Dubai Industrial City), how big it will be, or how much it will cost. Saif Al Aleeli said of the upcoming project, “Dubai Holding has a major contribution in the strategy and we have announced that an area will be dedicated for this technology in Dubai Industrial City.”
The news of the 3D printed residential building in Dubai comes just after the United Arab Emirates city officially launched its Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) program, a program that is bringing together various businesses and government agencies in order to create contemporary solutions in the health, security, infrastructure, transportation, energy and finance sectors. With the official launch of the programme, the 30 selected businesses will work in tandem with government bodies over the next three months to devise and present prototypes and business plans for said solutions.
As part of the accelerator program, eight government branches will be participating, including the Dubai Police, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the Dubai Health Authority, the Dubai Municipality, Dubai Holding, the Roads and Transport Authority, DEWA, and Emirates NBD. In terms of 3D printing, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), DEWA, and Dubai Holding will have the largest part to play. Specifically, one entry working with the DHA will be working on the development of 3D printed organs, which will seek to revolutionize the medical field; and one project with Dubai Holding will be focused on further developing learning and education through interactive 3D models. A number of other DFA projects will also utilize 3D printing, even though they may not focus specifically on the technology.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President and Prime Minister of the UAE, said of the endeavor: “A few days ago, we launched the UAE Strategy for the Future, and here we are today putting it into practice with an innovative system that connects our government departments with the world’s most innovative companies and turns government spending into an investment in the future. Our goal is to redefine the government’s role, whereby government entities are no longer mere operational units, but rather centers for planning the future and catalyzing global innovation.”
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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