Our Journey
The Sustainable City began with a vision to flourish into a global benchmark demonstrating how people and the planet can exist in harmony.
It has expanded through an inclusive outlook, prioritizing knowledge sharing, supporting research and development and forging strategic partnerships to scale and replicate this resilient model and realize the cities of the future, today.
2023
January
Net Zero Emissions Building
Completion of SEE Institute, a pioneering net zero emissions building. Located in The Sustainable City - Dubai, SEE Institute produces 300% of its energy needs and offsets all embodied and operational emissions by 2030.
January
Sold Out Within 24 hours
The Sustainable City - Yas Island achieves 100% sales within 24 hours of launch.
2022
March
First Net Zero Emissions City
The Sustainable City - Yiti is launched in partnership with OMRAN Group, with a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
January
Expanding to the UAE Capital
An agreement with Aldar Properties heralds yet further expansion with a new The Sustainable City planned for Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.
January
Moving Beyond Borders
A partnership with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) begins the development of a new sustainable city on the outskirts of Muscat with an investment value of US$1 billion.
2021
May
HSBC issues first green mortgages in the UAE
Heralding a significant moment for the housing market, future homeowners, and sustainable finance, HSBC approved three loans for customers purchasing houses in The Sustainable City community in Dubai.
March
The Climate Pledge
The Sustainable City is the first entity in the Middle East to join this global pledge to reach net zero by 2040.
2020
November
Sanad Village
The Sustainable City - Dubai reveals Sanad Village, a 30,000 square meter facility and the region’s largest centre for the treatment and understanding of autism.
January
SEE Holding
SEE Holding was officially established, driven by a strategic vision to consolidate knowledge, services, and expertise under one umbrella. This unified approach aims to spearhead a net zero emissions future and achieve the 2050 targets today.
2019
December
Supporting Sustainable Start-ups
Launch of Bedayat Business Incubator, an accelerator for innovative start-ups with a specific focus on social, environmental, and economic stability - in partnership with Dubai SME.
July
Plastic Free
The Sustainable City announces a plastic detox plan to phase out and eliminate the use of single-use plastics within 12 months.
March
Sharjah Sustainable City
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi inaugurates the masterplan of Sharjah Sustainable City and construction begins shortly thereafter.
2018
November
Eco-Friendly Market
The launch of ‘Origin’, an eco-friendly market for ethical and sustainable products hosted regularly in the community plaza.
September
Clean Mobility
The Sustainable City’s trial of driverless autonomous shuttles begins, in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
May
Saving the Bees
The Sustainable City launches ‘My Hive’ – a hive adoption initiative to protect honey bees and raise awareness about their importance in the ecosystem.
March
Replicating the Model
The first sovereign partnership agreement with Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority) signals the development of the first sustainable city in Sharjah and begins the path to replicating The Sustainable City globally.
February
Royal Visit
The Sustainable City attracts many high-profile visitors including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
2017
April
The Happiest Community
The Sustainable City is named the ‘Happiest Community’ in the Gulf region. This is just one of many accolades the city received that year and beyond.
2016
June
Transition to Green Grid
The Sustainable City – Dubai becomes the first residential community to connect to the green grid and make clean energy accessible to residents.
2015
November
The Vision Becomes A Reality
Handover begins of the first phase of The Sustainable City – Dubai and the first residents move in.
2014
June
Research & Development
SEE Holding’s founders sign a five-year collaboration with the University of California, Davis and four partner universities in the Arab region to promote and facilitate research in sustainability.
March
Breaking Ground
Construction begins and the foundations for 500 villas are laid.
2012
June
The Sustainable City Takes Shape
A 46-hectare plot in Dubai land is acquired for The Sustainable City - Dubai and the blueprints are revealed for the first live-work-thrive community of 3000 people, in collaboration with the Dubai Land Department.
2008
Searching for Solutions
In the post-financial crisis years, the founders embark on a phase of research to develop a new framework for urban life that would be sustainable for societies, the environment, and the economy.
2003
Establishment
Diamond Developers is founded. Over the following years, the company completed several projects across Dubai.