The winding walkways of Singapore’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai are shaded with lush greenery.
The point its designers want to make is that nature can thrive in the middle of the desert - if helped to do so sustainably.
Two days before the Expo opening ceremony, organisers opened the pavilion on Tuesday for a preview to show how the landscaped spaces reflect the city-state’s vision of creating a “city in nature".
Towering cones within are covered with more than 80,000 plants. Rows of trees and desert palms shade the interior as fans shoot cool mist on to visitors who walk in.
More than 500 solar panels on the roof will provide electricity for the pavilion all through the six-month Expo that opens on Friday.
Larry Ng, commissioner general of the Singapore Pavilion, described it as the “greenest in the whole of Expo”.
We are using trees and dry mist to lower the temperature internally by 6 to 10 degrees
Larry Ng,
commissioner general of the Singapore Pavilion
“First the beautiful greenery helps to lower the temperature inside and the 517 photovoltaic panels up in the roof will provide energy for the pavilion,” he told The National.
“Energy from the solar panels will also be used to desalinate the water that we pump from underground so this expounds the concept of sustainability and renewable energy.”
Drip irrigation has been used to minimise water wastage.
More than 170 varieties of plants have been regrown, many endemic to the desert and several brought in from Singapore.
Sun-loving plants such as Singapore’s national flower, the pink Vanda Miss Joaquim, will greet people at the entrance.
Plants found in freshwater streams and mangroves line the interior.
The structure built on 1,550 square metres is among the smallest on the Expo site and aims to show how space-starved Singapore has adopted environmentally-friendly actions to address climate change.
It is also among the few pavilions with no air conditioning where natural ventilation and architecture is used to control the air flow.
Organisers said designing a shaded structure that allowed fresh outdoor air to constantly circulate would keep visitors at ease, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we are using photovoltaic energy, we have tried to reduce the usage of energy,” Mr Ng said
“It is fully ventilated. We are using trees and dry mist to lower the temperature internally by 6 to 10 degrees. When you come in, you will feel the difference.
“Especially during this time of the pandemic, you are advised to be in the open because in many ways you are safer. So we are trying to address issues of sustainability and the pandemic.”
Smart technology is integrated into the pavilion.
Round machines called ‘climbing robots’ move across the structure to check the health of plants and transmit data if, for instance, sections require more water.
Visitors can download a mobile game that makes them feel they are a part of a collective effort to keep the greenery alive. Game users need to complete tasks to work out how much sunlight and water the plants require.
This hands-on approach has won over many volunteers.
Farihin Ismail was among several volunteers waving the Singapore flag at the entrance of the Expo gates.
The 26-year-old Singaporean moved with her parents to Abu Dhabi about 10 years ago.
She travels daily on an Expo Rider bus from Abu Dhabi to the site and is thrilled to be part of her home country’s offering at the World Fair.
“I’m learning a lot about Singapore’s lively living in nature experience,” she said.
“I love living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and helping out for my country Singapore even while I’m overseas.”
Light shows every night and film screenings will present stories about the people of Singapore.
Documentaries and short films will focus on global challenges from climate change to food security.
Walking tours through the pavilion will take place four times daily with guides giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the working of the structure.
“We hope that they will gain new perspectives on how nature and technology can be integrated into our urban spaces, and see the possibilities of how our cities can be designed to be sustainable, liveable and resilient,” Mr Ng said.
For updates on the Singapore pavilions programmes, check: www.singapore2020expo.gov.sg.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
WTL%20SCHEDULE
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
SWEET%20TOOTH
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Listen to Extra Time
If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
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Company%20profile%20
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
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Date started: 2015
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