Expert Says Few Dubai Developers Taking 'Green' Buildings Seriously

Dubai's high occupancy rate is discouraging local property developers from implementing strict environmentally-sustainable standards in Dubai, according to a director from CB Richard Ellis. Charlotte Eddington, who is Group Head of Energy and Sustainability, said few developers in the emirate are taking "green" buildings seriously. The majority see no need to differentiate their buildings because they believe the building will be occupied no matter what services are offered.

Los Angeles-based CB Richard Ellis is the world's largest commercial real estate services company. In 2007 the company had revenue of over $6 billion. Eddington is based out of the UK, and was in Dubai to gather information about the emirate's real estate market. Eddington said developers must start seriously implementing environmentally-sustainable technology now, or they would not be competitive if market conditions change, which, she estimates, will happen in 2010. The number of available buildings on the market at that time will allow individuals and companies to be more selective in the spaces they choose to live and work in.