The Heart of Europe Beats for Sustainability

Hello from The Heart of Europe! There was a time when this office that I’m writing from was just sand rising up from the azure blue waters of the Arabian Gulf.?

Today, it’s home to a self-sustaining six-island mixed-use dream destination called The Heart of Europe, which is the central facet of The World, an archipelago of islands in the shape of the world map located 4km off the coast of Dubai.

What’s the impact this incredible project has had on the natural ecosystems? That’s a great question, and one I get asked quite often. The answer: An extremely positive one.

If you want to see the perfect coming together of invention, sustainability, luxury living, wellness, art, and feng shui harmony - there’s no better place than The Heart of Europe.

This stems primarily from the fact that this island destination has taken sustainability into consideration right from its initial planning, ideation, and design stages. Sustainability has, therefore, become a key part of the very breath and heartbeat of the island.

The measures that Kleindienst Group has taken through each of the development stages has ensured that The Heart of Europe will be the world’s first zero discharge, zero microplastic, and zero pollution luxury island destination in the world - setting standards which will have never before been met anywhere else globally.

Careful consideration was given to even the building material - with structures constructed in a way that can last 100 years, going beyond the compliance needs of 25 years.

The innovative island destination, which brings the best of Europe to Dubai, has already incorporated solar sources of energy.

The Heart of Europe has also created and supported new ecosystems that previously didn’t exist in the arid, desert climate of Dubai. For instance, the Sweden Island at The Heart of Europe is home to a lush green micro-jungle, which is thriving with life.?

The tropical gardens have more than 60 species of plant life that are living off sustainable landscaping without the use of any pesticides or fungicides.

Wastewater treatment practices have also been incorporated Approximately 97 percent of the wastewater is treated and recycled into water that can be used for landscaping.?

Visitors walking through the beautiful micro-jungle will not even see a single irrigation pipe. This is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also scientifically attuned. The irrigation pipes are all underground, bringing treated wastewater directly to the roots of the plants, preventing loss of water through surface evaporation.

Additionally, the micro-jungle keeps the temperature of the islands cool and attracts many migratory birds, thus truly creating a natural ecosystem akin to the Maldives.

Similarly, The Heart of Europe has had an extremely positive impact on the marine ecosystems within The World islands.?

As the largest privately-owned marine life rehabilitation centre, The Heart of Europe Coral Institute, which focuses on preservation of marine habitats, has helped in the restoration and regeneration of corals while simultaneously creating and supporting a protected and harmonious habitat for marine life to thrive.?

This is important because coral reefs cover less than 1 percent of the ocean floor but support 25 percent of all marine life.?

More than fifty species of natural coral live in the Arabian Gulf, where Kleindienst Group’s science-based initiatives help coral reefs recover from some of the serious challenges they face today, including climate change and more acidic oceans.?

Using innovative micro-fragmentation techniques, the Coral Institute enables critical reef-building coral species to grow up to 50 times faster than they would naturally. This significantly speeds up the restoration of marine ecosystems.?

Overall, while it aims to help regenerate coral reefs and marine life, the destination also offers one-of-a-kind experience to certified scuba divers to view 28 untouched coral reefs for day and night underwater diving experiences, when they visit The Heart of Europe.

The Heart of Europe is also the first island destination in the Middle East that offers a “snow experience” within a private home as well as out in the open in a plaza. The idea was to bring the experience of the Swedish and Austrian mountains to the shores of Dubai, while still keeping energy conservation methods at its core.?

The easy method would have been to use seawater-cooled chiller systems since the private mansions are located on islands.?

However, we decided to invent another way - one that did not discharge any temperature or heat into the Arabian Gulf and would have no detrimental effect on either the coral regeneration project we have there or the marine life restoration project at The Heart of Europe.

This is another practical demonstration of the island destination’s commitment to zero discharge and zero pollution.

The key is understanding that sustainability isn't just an ethical imperative, it's a sound business strategy.?

Eco-conscious investors, vacationers, tourists, and homeowners are increasingly demand greener properties, and features like solar panels and efficient systems translate into significant long-term savings.?

Healthy buildings with good air quality and natural light also boost occupant well-being and productivity, leading to higher tenant satisfaction and retention.?

By collaborating with experts, embracing certifications like LEED or BREEAM, and staying ahead of the curve on the latest advancements, we can pave the way for a more sustainable industry.

Of course, challenges exist. Sustainable development often means upfront investment in research and embracing innovative approaches. This is a journey of continuous evolution, and one that leaders in the industry must take seriously.

We'll relentlessly pursue ways to make our projects greener, working with experts, and embracing the latest technology. Our goal is to build communities that are sustainable, healthy, and successful for generations to come.

Sustainability isn't a fad; it's the defining principle of real estate's future.?

By making it a priority, we can build a better world, one development at a time.