On the edge of a desert, where high temperatures, heavy air conditioning, and water scarcity have long shaped the way cities grow, one community chose a different path. Instead of building another residential development and adding sustainability features later, The Sustainable City was planned with sustainability at its core. Every major decision, from energy generation to waste management and water reuse, was designed to support a cleaner and more efficient way of living.
That vision has helped The Sustainable City become one of the UAE’s best-known examples of sustainable urban development. Instead of focusing only on environmentally friendly buildings, the project shows how an entire community can be planned around the responsible use of energy, water, and other natural resources. As more cities look for practical ways to reduce their environmental impact, The Sustainable City has become an important example of how sustainable development can work on a larger scale.
The Sustainable City Was Built Around Sustainability
The Sustainable City is a flagship development created by SEE Holding, a UAE-based group that focuses on sustainable investment, infrastructure, and city development. According to the company’s official website, The Sustainable City was designed as a working model for future cities that balances environmental responsibility, economic growth, and social well-being. The company explains that every stage of the project is built around three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. It also describes the model as resilient, scalable, and replicable, with the aim of providing a framework that supports the global goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
This approach separates The Sustainable City from many traditional residential developments. Rather than adding sustainable features after construction, the project places sustainability at the centre of its planning. Homes, infrastructure, public spaces, transport, and utilities all work together to support a more efficient and environmentally responsible community. The result is a development that demonstrates how sustainability can become part of everyday living instead of remaining an environmental concept.
The Community Uses Practical Solutions to Reduce Its Environmental Impact
One of the reasons The Sustainable City has gained attention is its focus on measurable environmental performance. The company highlights several systems that work together to reduce energy use, conserve water, and improve resource efficiency across the community. According to the official website, renewable energy sources cover 150 per cent of the city’s energy needs. This reflects the company’s commitment to reducing dependence on conventional energy sources while supporting cleaner energy production. Water conservation is another important part of the development. The company states that 100 per cent of wastewater is treated and reused for landscape irrigation. Reusing treated water helps reduce demand for fresh water, which is especially important in the UAE’s dry climate.
Waste management also forms part of the city’s sustainability strategy. According to the company, 100 per cent waste recycling with diversion from landfill is achieved through its waste management systems. This supports the wider goal of reducing landfill use and encouraging better resource management within the community. The company also highlights several other sustainability features across the development. These include indoor vertical farming, air-to-water technology, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the use of construction materials with high recycled content and low embodied carbon. Together, these measures show that sustainability extends beyond building design and includes the systems that support everyday life. Each of these initiatives contributes to the company’s goal of creating communities that use resources more efficiently while supporting long-term environmental responsibility.
Green Building Continues to Grow in Importance Across the UAE
The UAE has placed increasing attention on sustainable development as cities continue to expand. Buildings account for a large share of energy consumption because of the need for year-round cooling, making energy efficiency an important part of reducing environmental impact. Green building companies help address these challenges by designing developments that reduce energy use, improve water efficiency, and make better use of natural resources. Their work also supports healthier living environments and lower operating costs over time.
The Sustainable City reflects this broader shift in urban development. Instead of concentrating on one environmentally friendly building, the project brings together renewable energy, water reuse, sustainable transport, waste management, and other resource-efficient systems within a single master-planned community. This integrated approach demonstrates how sustainability can be applied across an entire neighbourhood rather than within individual buildings alone. As more governments and developers look for practical solutions to climate and resource challenges, projects like The Sustainable City provide useful examples of how sustainable planning can be implemented at community level.
Industry Awards Have Recognised the Project’s Sustainable Approach
The Sustainable City’s work has also received recognition through established property and sustainability awards. In February 2023, Sharjah Sustainable City won Best International Sustainable Residential Development and Best Sustainable Residential Development Arabia at the International Property Awards. According to the company’s official announcement, these awards recognised the project’s commitment to delivering sustainable residential communities and reinforced The Sustainable City’s position as a leading example of sustainable urban development.
The same company announcement also states that The Sustainable City brand had received more than 50 awards by that time. Among the recognitions listed by the company are the Arabian Property Awards, Smart Built Environment Awards, Gulf Real Estate Awards, Gulf Sustainability Awards, and the Real Estate Excellence Award. These achievements highlight the consistent recognition the project has received from organisations that evaluate excellence in property development, sustainability, and innovation. They also reflect the company’s continued focus on building communities that combine environmental responsibility with practical urban living. While awards alone do not define success, repeated recognition from respected industry programmes adds credibility to the company’s sustainability efforts and demonstrates that its work has gained attention beyond the UAE.
SEE Holding Provides the Foundation for The Sustainable City
The Sustainable City operates under SEE Holding, a UAE-based holding group that focuses on sustainable investment, infrastructure, and urban development. According to the company’s official website, SEE Holding designs, invests in, and develops sustainable cities and infrastructure that support environmental, social, and economic progress. The company states that its work is guided by a long-term vision of contributing to net-zero emissions by 2050. Through its portfolio of businesses and projects, SEE Holding promotes solutions that encourage responsible use of natural resources while supporting sustainable urban growth.
According to the company, The Sustainable City was created as a “working model for future cities.” It also describes the model as resilient, scalable, and replicable, allowing the concept to be adapted in different locations while maintaining the same sustainability principles. Being part of SEE Holding gives The Sustainable City a broader platform for long-term development. Rather than focusing on a single residential project, the company continues to apply the same sustainability approach across multiple communities.
The Sustainable City Model Has Expanded Across the Region
Following the success of the original Dubai development, The Sustainable City has expanded to other locations in the region. According to the company’s official website, the brand now includes Sharjah Sustainable City, Yas Island Sustainable City in Abu Dhabi, and The Sustainable City – Yiti in the Sultanate of Oman.
Each development follows the same overall vision of creating communities that combine environmental responsibility with modern urban living. While every project is designed to suit its local environment, the company states that the developments continue to focus on renewable energy, responsible water management, sustainable mobility, and efficient use of resources. The expansion of The Sustainable City demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to developing sustainable communities based on the same planning principles introduced in its first project.
Faris Saeed Has Guided the Company’s Sustainability Vision
The Sustainable City’s development is closely linked to the leadership of Faris Saeed, the Founder and Chairman of SEE Holding and the Founder of The Sustainable City. According to his LinkedIn profile, Faris Saeed earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, studying between 1983 and 1988. His engineering background has supported his long career in real estate development and sustainable urban planning.
His LinkedIn profile also shows that he served as Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Developers from June 2003 to July 2022. During his time at Diamond Developers, the company developed The Sustainable City. Today, The Sustainable City forms part of SEE Holding’s portfolio of sustainable developments. According to SEE Holding, Faris Saeed has led the vision behind The Sustainable City and supported the expansion of its sustainable community model. The company presents him as a leader who has promoted sustainable urban development by encouraging communities that integrate renewable energy, responsible resource management, and environmentally responsible design. His contribution to the company has centred on establishing a long-term sustainability vision and supporting the growth of The Sustainable City concept across multiple developments in the region. Through this approach, he has helped position sustainable urban planning as a central part of the company’s work.
The Sustainable City Continues to Inspire Sustainable Urban Development
The Sustainable City has shown how sustainable planning can move beyond individual buildings and become the foundation of an entire community. By bringing together renewable energy, treated wastewater reuse, waste recycling with landfill diversion, sustainable mobility, and environmentally responsible construction practices, the project demonstrates how multiple sustainability systems can work together within one development. The company’s expansion into new locations reflects its continued commitment to developing sustainable communities using the same planning principles. Through its projects in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, The Sustainable City continues to apply its approach to responsible urban development across the region.
According to the company, The Sustainable City was created as a working model for future cities, and that vision continues to guide its growth. Supported by SEE Holding and led by Faris Saeed, the company has built a recognised example of sustainable community development in the UAE. Its journey shows how careful planning, efficient use of resources, and a long-term commitment to sustainability can help shape communities that are better prepared for the future.
