Phuket News / Daily Updates from Paradise

GreenBuild Asia 2008, an event set to gather industry specialists and experts together to discuss the practical and financial issues surrounding sustainability in Asian cities, is set to feature a case study by Dr Christopher Drew, sustainability manager for Masdar. Drew’s study will examine a the viability of building a zero-carbon, zero-waste, zero-fossil fuel city in the UAE.

Drew will be speaking on the second day of the conference. He joins Max Connop, executive director of Aedas, who will be talking about Eco-Park and Sunny Bay. Dr Poul Kristensen, managing director of IEN Consultants, will examine the principles and examples of designing zero-energy office buildings in Malaysia. The event is scheduled to take place at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Hong Kong in July 2008.

Tall tower coming to Jakarta

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is set to house Southeast Asia’s tallest skyscraper. The news comes with an announcement from Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties that the company plans a massive new project for the city.

According to news service Asia Pulse, Emaar Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar proposed the project to Indonesia’s president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a recent meeting. Emaar, which is currently the biggest developer in the region, was also responsible for the still under construction 718-meter tall Burj Dubai, which on completion will be the tallest tower on the planet. The move is part of Emaar’s efforts to step up its presence in Southeast Asia and in Indonesia in particular. Earlier this year, the high-rise experts signed a joint venture agreement with state-owned Bali Tourism Development Corp. to build an integrated tourism project on the island of Lombok near Bali.

China property growth set to slow

China’s rapid property growth is showing signs that it may be about to clam, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) has claimed. According to Xinhua news agency, the pace of property price growth in 2008 is expected to slow but will stop short of going into reverse.

CASS has claimed, in its annual report on the real estate sector, that the reduction in growth will be felt across the country and that price rises will eventually settle “far below” that of last year, Xinhua reported.
The drop off in growth is believed to be in part due to a range of initiatives implemented by the Chinese government in an attempt to reduce speculation. The moves, the report said, are “gradually restoring rationality to real-estate demand.”

Property prices rose 10.7 percent year-on-year in March, compared with 10.9 percent growth in February, the NDRC said earlier.

Jumeirah group appoints new senior VP of Asia Pacific

Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality management group and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced yesterday the appointment of Tony Cousens to the position of senior vice president Asia Pacific, based in Singapore.

Tony Cousens will be responsible for all Jumeirah Group activities and operations in Asia Pacific. “It is an honor to join an energetic company in such an exciting phase of its expansion, especially as we develop Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and brand in Asia Pacific,” he said. “This includes the opening of the Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi in Shanghai in late 2008, Jumeirah’s first hotel in China and flagship property in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the Jumeirah Private Island Phuket opening in 2009. I am impressed with the Jumeirah Group’s vision and commitment to excellence.”

Keppel Land to develop marina in China

Keppel Land Limited has revealed that it has entered a joint venture with Sunsea Yacht Club (HK) Co., Ltd. to develop an integrated residential-cum-marina lifestyle development in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province of China.

Keppel Land will have an 80 percent stake in Sunseacan Investment (HK) Co., Ltd.. The project will begin with premium waterfront homes in the affluent Pearl River Delta region of Zhongshan, located on MoDao Island in the Shenwan Town of Zhongshan City.

“Waterfront living has become a worldwide trend as a premier choice for residence,” said Kevin Wong, group chief executive officer of Keppel Land. He continued, “Leveraging our extensive experience in developing world-class waterfront precincts, such as Keppel Bay and Marina Bay Financial Centre in Singapore, Keppel Land continues to create quality live-work and -play environments in premier landmarks across Asia.”

News by Phuket Post – phuket-post.com