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Dubai implements a variety of strategies to promote sustainable development locally and globally. A notable initiative in this regard is "Prototypes for Humanity," showcasing the city's dedication to collective action for sustainable progress.
This initiative showcases promising solutions, including an alternative to concrete called "Ramel," proposed by architecture students Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi.
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Ramel – Desert-sand concrete alternative
In a bid to address sustainability concerns in the complex construction industry, two architecture students developed Ramel, a cost-effective and low-carbon alternative to concrete that is made from desert sand, as opposed to the traditional riverbed sand.
Through research and testing, they understood that desert sand mixed with other ingredients can provide a strong alternative to conventional concrete, initially for use in small-scale projects, and with further testing potentially be applied to larger-scale buildings.
A top View Image of different material by Dubai Culture by Dubai CultureDubai Culture & Arts Authority
In addition to being beneficial to the architecture and construction industry, this material could result in a significant reduction in global carbon footprint.
Even countries with significant masses of desert sand import a different type of sand for construction, which is extracted from mines, riverbeds, or offshore. By developing a formula for a new type of binder, it becomes possible to use desert sand.
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Alyina Ahmed, who was raised in the United Arab Emirates and considered it home, took her love for Dubai with her to London and is hoping to contribute positively to sustainable construction in the UAE, as well as sharing the product on a global scale.
Together with her co-founder Maximo Tettamanzi, she created the new material, experimenting with different formulas in her backyard in Dubai during the pandemic lockdown.
The two met while studying at the Architectural Association School of Architecture and were selected to showcase their solution in 2021 and join the entrepreneurship development programme.
