Dubai gears up to execute 3D printing building technology

Dubai Municipality has amended building rules to execute 3D printing technology in construction sector, a top official said.

Essa Al Maidour, Deputy Director of Dubai Municipality, who is also head of the committee for implementation of the 3D printing building technology system, said that the raft of frames include rules to determine the mechanism for printing the locations, codes and building materials.

Al Maidour said 3D technology help reduce the duration of construction and amount of waste materials, as it stipulates specific quantities which will be used precisely.

“The 3D printing technology also saves the excessive use of workforce,” he added.

Engineer Abdullah Rafia, Assistant Director General for Engineering and Planning, who is also member of the committee said: “The municipality has contacted a number of leading companies which have vast experience and were invited to get acquainted and benefit from their expertise.”

He added that the municipality will also conduct workshops with selected companies in which the steps for implementing the technology in Dubai will be discussed.

Engineer Khalid Mohammed Saleh Al Mulla, Director of Buildings Department at the municipality said innovating and rolling out any new rules governing buildings will have direct impact on the construction industry, and must have legislations that streamline the work on the basis of the new technology.

“A general frame for the laws have been laid, and the rules were already amended to match with the new technology,” he said.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’, a unique global initiative that aims to promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a leading hub of 3D printing technology by the year 2030.