In line with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy launched by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Municipality has floated several technical activities including building engineering consultancy, building contracting, and ready-mix concrete casting using 3D printing technology.
The municipality has developed and implemented an integrated system of planning, designing, and construction work using additive manufacturing as per the approved engineering standards and specifications, making Dubai the first city in the world to adopt a 3D printing strategy in the construction sector.
Director General of Dubai Municipality Dawoud Al Hajri says, “The municipality aims to regulate the use of 3D printing technology by organizing and promoting it and providing consultation and support to startups in the field. This is in addition to inviting global firms to enter the field as part of our directives to promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a leading hub of 3D printing technology by the year 2030.”
Speaking on the advantages of this technology, Al Hajri adds, “3D printing is an advanced technology making rapid strides in many sectors around the world with its flexibility and efficiency. We aim to enhance the use of this technology through new activities launched by us for contractors and consultants.”
The new activities of the municipality are aimed at fostering consultancy firms, contractors, and factories to use 3D printing and artificial intelligence in construction. Sources in the municipality said that these will directly contribute to the job market and an increase in the number of buildings constructed using 3D printing in Dubai.
Interested company owners and contractors can register for such activities through the municipality’s official website. In addition to its official website, the municipality’s smart apps also provide details of approved consultancy firms, contractors, and builders that use 3D construction technologies.
Additional responsibilities include determining tests to be conducted on raw materials, synthetic additives, and mixtures used in construction work besides other tests on the structural components of buildings constructed using 3D printing technology. The authority will also supervise the creation of a database of all the construction works implemented in the emirate using 3D printing for facilitating easy access to data and information required for establishing the technical specifications and standards.
