Eng. Abdullatif Al Yafei, Executive Director at UDC
Doha, Qatar: United Development Company (UDC), one of the largest and leading real estate developers in the country, is using smart solutions to drive sustainable goals, said an official. This has led the organisation to win three estimable Guinness World Records in Doha.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the award ceremony recently, Eng. Abdullatif Al Yafei, Executive Director at UDC said “From its inception - The Pearl Qatar and Gewan Island have been aiming towards sustainability using smart solutions in the country.”
The official award ceremony witnessed the participation of Yasser Salah Al Jaidah, CEO of UDC, who was presented with the Guinness World Record certificates in acknowledgment of several achievements. These include the largest outdoor air-conditioned shopping mall, the largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy on Gewan Island, and the largest pneumatic waste management network on the Pearl Island.
Remarking on the achievement attained by The Pearl Qatar, Al Yafei said, “We have the largest pneumatic in Qatar with 66km and 500 garbage areas, and using smart solutions adds epic value to sustainability and the environment so we are happy to receive the award for the waste management system.”
The executive director highlighted that the pneumatic waste management system enables them to efficiently collect a large volume of waste, which is then recycled. “Currently, we recycle about 35 percent of the waste, which is a significant figure,” he said adding that 6 percent of the collected waste is specifically recycled, making this an important achievement in Qatar.
The Crystal Walk not only asserts the title of the largest outdoor air-conditioned mall, covering 7,360 square meters (79,222.41 sq ft) but also captivates visitors with its remarkable design and amenities. One of its standout features is the stunning crystal display, which showcases over 10 tons of crystals and a 1,000-meter crystal path—the longest in the world—creating a visually striking atmosphere that elevates the shopping experience. Al Yafei said, “We are very honored and happy to receive Guinness World Records and the whole team who was behind this achievement, especially for Gewan Project because this time we have received two world records in particular to Crystal Walk.”
In addition to its cooling system, the Crystal Walk features the world’s largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, spanning an impressive 3,689.55 square meters (39,713.98 square feet). This architectural masterpiece seamlessly combines art and technology, offering functional shade during the day and transforming into a captivating light display at night, further enhancing the already enchanting atmosphere.
The record-breaking canopy incorporates cutting-edge LED lighting technology, providing numerous benefits over traditional lighting solutions.
“Both the air-conditioned environment and the largest crystal feature with interactive lighting are integral to Gewan, with everyone involved in these achievements contributing to their success. We are thrilled to receive these recognitions, as they add significant value to the location, bringing us closer to our goal of becoming the number one destination in Qatar and the region,” Al Yafei said.
He further added, “We are applying for a couple for Guinness World Records and have some construction projects also we have Gewan Island.. ..hotel which is under construction, and hopefully by the year-end it will be completed. This is also one of the major milestones we hope to achieve by year-end.”
