Number of abandoned buildings decrease in Dubai

Due to stringent measures taken by civic body, the number of abandoned buildings and courtyards had a decrease last year, said Yusuf  Abdulla Marzouqi, Acting Director of Building Department at Dubai Municipality.

He said this while he was talking about the measures taken by civic body to minimize the number of abandoned buildings during the past year.

“As a result of continuous and due notifications, instructions and also by demolitions, Dubai Municipality could bring down the number from 518 to 203, a decrease by 40 per cent,” he said.

He said abandoned buildings are a threat to the safety of the society as well as a black mark that tarnishes positive image of the city.

“While buildings are left unoccupied chances are high for misuse. Those who are with anti social intentions and illegal inhabitants take shelter in these causing threat to the whole society” headed.

“We noticed that some buildings had been used for keeping goods for illegal trade and some others  had become a hotbed for rodents and other creatures that cause threat for public health and safety,” Yusuf said.

Eng Jabir Ahmed Abdulla Al-Ali, Head of Building Inspection Section that the department demolished some 72 such buildings last year, using municipality machinery and with the help of approved building demolition companies.

He said, due notifications and instructions and public announcements through leading newspapers   were given to building owners before the demolitions. A notification period ranging from 2 weeks to one month was allowed and duly informed to the owners before the proceedings.

By end of 2013, Dubai Municipality  would clear off 100% of remaining buildings of this kind that are now under procedure, Jabir said.  

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