Latest news with #Ficus
ME Construction
04-06-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
Majid Al Futtaim announces contract awards for Ghaf Woods
Industry News Majid Al Futtaim announces contract awards for Ghaf Woods By Spanning 738,000sqm off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units Majid Al Futtaim has announced two milestones for its forest living concept, Ghaf Woods. These milestones include the establishment of a dedicated tree nursery to support the project's biophilic design concept and the appointment of Innovo Build as the primary contractor for its initial two phases. Ghaf Woods, billed as a model for sustainable forest living in Dubai, will be the cornerstone of this vision. Over the next 18 months, the nursery will grow and nurture thousands of native and climate resilient tree species. Currently, it houses over 10,000 trees, with the figure expected to reach 20,000 by May 2026 and 105,000 shrubs by the same time. By the end of this period, the nursery will expand to accommodate up to 30,000 trees, which will then be transported and replanted across Ghaf Woods. As part of this journey, the US $13.2mn nursery contract has been awarded to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, who will manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation throughout this journey. The facility will be home to a diverse selection of climate-suitable species, including Acacias, Citrus, Ficus, Melia, Phoenix, Tecomella, Ziziphus, and the iconic Ghaf. All species have been procured from Egypt (Nile Delta), India, Thailand, and the UAE – including Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi. Ghaf Woods is said to be revolutionising the concept of living in harmony with nature. The development's forest ecosystem will surpass the number of residents, serving as a vital 'Green Lung' that purifies the air by up to 20% and lowers temperatures by up to five degrees Celsius compared to other parts of the city. Moreover, these trees will play a crucial role in mitigating soil erosion, conserving water, and creating shaded pathways and green corridors throughout the community, the developer said in its statement. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties said, 'The concept of Ghaf Woods has been years in the making with a vision for sustainable living at the core. Since its unveiling one year ago, there's been a clear and growing demand from people who are looking for communities that foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment. Our investment in a purpose-built tree nursery, and the partnership with Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life. We're also proud to be working with Innovo Build on the delivery of the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. It is through collaborations like these that we are setting a new benchmark for how nature, lifestyle and premium living can meaningfully coexist.' Kashif Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mawarid Holding Investment added, 'This nursery is a critical foundation for the forest ecosystem at Ghaf Woods. Our focus is not only on scale but also on biodiversity, resilience, and ensuring every tree contributes meaningfully to the project's long-term environmental impact. As one of the largest plant nursery operators in the GCC, we are proud to collaborate on one of the region's most forward-looking developments, and excited to see the landscape grow from the ground up.' In addition, Innovo Build has been awarded a $463mn contract for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Ghaf Woods, including the construction and completion of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Known for their expertise in sustainable, high-quality developments, Innovo Build's portfolio spans luxury residences, villa communities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, Innovo Build will focus on Ghaf Woods' forest living concept, blending contemporary architecture with immersive natural surroundings to create a new standard for urban living in Dubai, the statement added. Sameh Fam, Chief Executive Officer, Innovo Build commented, 'We are proud to partner with Majid Al Futtaim to deliver the early phases of a development as visionary as Ghaf Woods a project that reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and community-centric design. This project redefines traditional construction, and requires us to build in harmony with nature, not around it. Our team will approach this landmark development with the precision, care and focus on sustainability that cements us as a contractor of choice in UAE.' Spanning 738,000sqm off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units, including one, two, and three-bedroom residences and penthouses. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents eight kilometres of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. The community will also be home to Majid Al Futtaim's signature multi-purpose hub, Distrikt, which features a curated selection of retail and farm-to-table dining experiences, the statement concluded.
Mid East Info
03-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MAJID AL FUTTAIM ADVANCES VISION FOR FOREST LIVING AT GHAF WOODS BY ANNOUNCING A DEDICATED TREE NURSERY AND APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTOR
The nursery will cultivate over 30,000 trees and 350,000 shrubs, forming the green heart of Ghaf Woods' forest living vision The AED 1.7 billion construction contract is awarded to Innovo Build for Phase 1 and 2 of Ghaf Woods, and be responsible for the delivery of 13 residential buildings across Celia, Serra, and Lacina Dubai, UAE, June, 2025: Majid Al Futtaim, a leading pioneer in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, today announced two significant milestones for its forest living concept, Ghaf Woods – the establishment of a dedicated tree nursery to support the project's biophilic design concept and the appointment of Innovo Build as the main contractor for its first two phases. With Ghaf Woods set to become a model for sustainable forest living in Dubai, the nursery will be the cornerstone of this vision, where thousands of native and climate-resilient tree species will be grown and nurtured over the next 18 months. Today, the nursery is home to more than 10,000 trees with that figure set to increase to 20,000 and 105,000 shrubs by May 2026. It will eventually grow to house up to 30,000 trees, which will then be transported and replanted across Ghaf Woods. As part of this exciting journey, the AED 49 million nursery contract has been awarded to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, who will manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation throughout this journey. The facility will be home to a diverse selection of climate-suitable species, including Acacias, Citrus, Ficus, Melia, Phoenix, Tecomella, Ziziphus, and the iconic Ghaf. All species have been procured from Egypt (Nile Delta), India, Thailand, and the UAE – including Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi. Ghaf Woods is redefining the concept of living with nature and this milestone is a demonstration of the unique offering it brings. The development's forest ecosystem is set to outnumber residents and serve as a vital 'Green Lung' delivering up to 20% cleaner air and temperatures up to five degrees Celsius cooler than other areas of the city. These trees will also play a critical role in reducing soil erosion, conserving water, and shaping shaded pathways and green corridors throughout the community. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: 'The concept of Ghaf Woods has been years in the making with a vision for sustainable living at the core. Since its unveiling one year ago, there's been a clear and growing demand from people who are looking for communities that foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment. Our investment in a purpose-built tree nursery, and the partnership with Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life. We're also proud to be working with Innovo Build on the delivery of the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. It is through collaborations like these that we are setting a new benchmark for how nature, lifestyle and premium living can meaningfully coexist.' Kashif Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mawarid Holding Investment said: 'This nursery is a critical foundation for the forest ecosystem at Ghaf Woods. Our focus is not only on scale but also on biodiversity, resilience, and ensuring every tree contributes meaningfully to the project's long-term environmental impact. As one of the largest plant nursery operators in the GCC, we are proud to collaborate on one of the region's most forward-looking developments, and excited to see the landscape grow from the ground up.' Meanwhile, Innovo Build has been awarded the AED 1.7 billion contract for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Ghaf Woods, including the construction and completion of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Known for their expertise in sustainable, high-quality developments, Innovo Build's portfolio spans luxury residences, villa communities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, Innovo Build will focus on Ghaf Woods' forest living concept, blending contemporary architecture with immersive natural surroundings to create a new standard for urban living in Dubai. Sameh Fam, Chief Executive Officer, Innovo Build said: 'We are proud to partner with Majid Al Futtaim to deliver the early phases of a development as visionary as Ghaf Woods – a project that reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and community-centric design. This project redefines traditional construction, and requires us to build in harmony with nature, not around it. Our team will approach this landmark development with the precision, care and focus on sustainability that cements us as a contractor of choice in UAE.' Spanning 738,000 square metres off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units, including one, two, and three-bedroom residences and penthouses. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents eight kilometres of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. The community will also be home to Majid Al Futtaim's signature multi-purpose hub, Distrikt, which features a curated selection of retail and farm-to-table dining experiences. About Majid Al Futtaim: Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group started from one man's vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment, and leisure to 'create great moments for everyone, every day'. It has since grown into one of the region's most respected businesses, employing more than 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$19 billion and has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporates in the region. Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, seven hotels and five mixed-use communities, welcoming more than 600 million customers through its doors every year. It is the proud owner of the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman with the iconic City Centre shopping malls rounding out its portfolio across the region. As the developer of choice for the region, Majid Al Futtaim is the creator of mixed-use communities including Ghaf Woods and Tilal Al Ghaf in Dubai and Al Mouj in Muscat. Majid Al Futtaim holds the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour across 12 markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a network of over 390 stores. In Egypt, it also owns and operates Supeco, a low-cost hybrid grocery retail concept while HyperMax is its newest grocery retail brand recently launched in Jordan and Oman. The Group operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region. These include two ski locations in Dubai and Cairo, two snow parks in Abu Dhabi and Oman, as well as family entertainment centres such as Magic Planet, Little Explorers, Activate, Yalla! Bowling, Dreamscape and IFLY. Majid Al Futtaim partners with world-class fashion, home, specialty retail and beauty brands, operating over 90 stores across the GCC and 27 e-commerce platforms. Its portfolio includes lululemon, LEGO, Crate and Barrel, Shiseido and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim multi-brand concept store and app. These offerings are powered by the UAE's fastest growing loyalty programme SHARE, which offers customers a more personalised and data driven experience.
Straits Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
New stamp series showcases critically endangered native coastal plants in Singapore
The four plant species are recognisable by their striking ornamental flowers, fruits and foliage. PHOTO: SINGPOST AND NPARKS SINGAPORE – The sea trumpet tree and queen coralbead vine are among four species featured in a new set of stamps that showcase critically endangered native coastal plants. The stamp series – the result of a tie-up between Singapore Post (SingPost) and the National Parks Board (NParks) – aims to shine a light on Singapore's unique natural heritage and the urgent need for conservation, the two agencies said in a joint statement on May 30. The series also comes just in time for the Festival of Biodiversity, which will be held at the Plaza in the National Library Building, from May 31 to June 1 , the statement added . The stamps, valued at between 52 cents and $2 each , can be bought at all post offices, on the SingPost website, and philatelic stores from May 30 . They will also be sold at the festival. Apart from the sea trumpet and queen coralbead, the stamps feature the Ormocarpum cochinchinense tree and Ficus stricta, a type of strangling fig tree. The four plant species are recognisable by their striking ornamental flowers, fruits and foliage, and are part of the NParks Species Recovery Programme, which aims to secure the long-term survival of rare and endangered native flora. The latest series is titled Critically Endangered Flora Of Singapore – Flora Of Coastal Forest, and is the last of three stamp series to showcase endangered plant species in Singapore. The 2024 series highlighted the critically endangered native flora of Singapore's tropical lowland rainforests, which include the two-fold velvet bean climber, tiger's betel, the squirrel's jack and the Kadsura scandens. All four plants can be found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve, said NParks. In 2023, four critically endangered native floral species from Singapore's swamp forests were featured on stamps: the lipstick plant, Singapore Kopsia, red Salak, and Fagraea splendens. They were found or rediscovered in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest, which is the only remaining primary freshwater swamp forest in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Glam up the patio for winter
Winter mornings and evenings can be chilly, but on sunny winter days there's no better place to be that on the patio, stoep or loggia. Use flowering plants to decorate the table when friends and family gather for a meal. Close in the space with leafy plants or air plants tumbling out of hanging baskets and add some eye catching foliage plants as features. Just make sure that the plants are sheltered from drafts and are hardy, or else move them closer to the interior when bitter cold is predicted. For tabletop flowers the best plants are those that stay compact and carry their flowers above the leaves, like kalanchoe and calandiva, cyclamen and mini versions of phalaenopsis and anthurium. Cyclamen thrive in the cool weather and if dead flowers are regularly removed it can flower throughout winter. Plants like bright light and cool conditions and should not be over -watered. For it to flower well, feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks. It doesn't always have to be about flowers. The bonsai Ficus macrocarpa 'Ginseng' is always a talking point. Make a feature of it by placing it on a coffee table or pedestal to show off its unusual stem and air roots. Plants that are 'bonsai ready' are easily available and can remain in their pots or be transplanted into a more traditional ceramic bonsai pot. As a patio plant it needs a sheltered position that receives up to four hours of sun a day. Over-watering or drying out, or cold can cause leaf drop. Feed every six weeks with a liquid fertiliser like Nitrosol. Trailing plant Philodendron scandens, also known as the sweetheart plant for its heart-shaped leaves is easily trained onto a wall trellis or frame or can cascade out of a hanging basket. Keep plants to a manageable size by trimming regularly. Plants tolerate all light conditions, from shady to bright light, but do best in medium light. Keep the soil consistently moist although the surface soil can dry out slightly before watering again. Feature plants The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is almost indestructible plant that looks like a cross between a cycad and a fern. It copes with variable temperatures and only needs minimal watering. Water when the top few centimetre of the potting mix feels dry. The shiny, dark green leaves have a waxy look and new growth is a lighter green, creating an attractive contrast. Keep the leaves looking shiny and healthy by feeding with pot-plant food once every six months. There are many variations of the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) and an unusual variety is Ficus 'Abidjan' which has dark purple-green leaves with a hint of red. Ficus plants thrive in bright light and do well next to windows. Water once the soil becomes dry to the touch. Regularly wiping the leaves with a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water will also keep the leaves shiny and healthy Monstera deliciosa: grows into a large feature plant with striking, lobed leaves that will thrive indoors or on the patio for many years. It needs good, filtered light and the soil can slightly dry out between watering. Sponge down the leaves to keep them clean. Repot once a year, in spring, until the plant reaches its mature size, then just refresh with potting soil. Prune lightly (cut off branches or leaves where they meet the stem) to prevent the plant getting too large. For more info, visit LVG Plant. Article and images supplied by Alice Coetzee. For more on gardening, visit Get It Magazine.
Irish Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Why are my rubber plants looking so unhappy?
I thought that rubber plants are supposed to be indestructible but mine has started losing a few leaves and looks unhappy. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong? – C Finnegan, Waterford Hailing from parts of south Asia and Indonesia, this tropical evergreen species (Ficus elastica) has long been a popular houseplant with a reputation for being exceptionally unfussy and hard to kill. Its common name of 'rubber plant' or 'rubber fig' comes from the milky white, sticky latex it contains. The species aside, various cultivated forms are available, including the smartly variegated Ficus elastica 'Tineke' and the larger-leaved Ficus elastica 'Robusta'. While it's certainly a tough, resilient species that can tolerate quite a degree of neglect, there are certain things that the rubber plant will turn up its nose at. Sudden changes in its growing conditions, such as an abrupt change of temperature, exposure to icy drafts, or long exposure to direct bright sunshine, can all cause its foliage to curl, droop and drop. So can overwatering. Large houseplants like this, especially if growing in a communal office or reception area, can also fall victim to what I like to call 'crimes against horticulture', where plants die as a result of half-finished, hot beverages being regularly tipped into them, or worse. READ MORE To keep your rubber plant happy, make sure to give it a bright spot, but one that's out of direct sunshine, away from hot radiators and from any windows that are regularly opened. While it will happily tolerate warm temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees, it dislikes being in a cool room where the ambient temperature regularly falls below 15. [ Which varieties of willow and bamboo grow quickly? Opens in new window ] Overwatering is another no-no. Done regularly, this causes the plant to drop its leaves. Underwatering, on the other hand, typically causes the edges of the leaves to roll inwards. Aim to water roughly once a week at this time of year and less in autumn and winter when the plant isn't in active growth, allowing the compost to almost dry out between waterings. A monthly liquid feed during the growing season will also be beneficial, as will gently wiping down your rubber tree's large, glossy oval leaves with a damp, clean sponge to remove any dust that's accumulated. Repotting every three years is also recommended, using a slightly larger pot and fresh compost.
