Abstract: | This report is based on the proposed mixed residential building construction in Plot No. C4-
2, Hulhumale’. It is proposed to build two 10 storey towers, of which 2 storeys will be
allocated for commercial purposes. The project is being developed by MUNI Enterprises
Pvt. Ltd. The proponent is to oversee the development and project management including
managing the EIA process. The contractor has not yet been decided.
An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works as per the requirements
of the signed agreement between MUNI Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and Housing Development
Corporation (HDC). In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would
further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions based on
favourable environmental conditions with the main focus on sustainability. The project also
adheres to several other rules and regulations in the Maldives and has obtained permit from
HDC to proceed. HDC is a government entity being given the responsibility to set
guidelines and oversee all developments in Hulhumale’.
The project is part of larger program by HDC to establish mixed residential buildings in
Hulhumale’. Therefore, many similar EIAs have been done recently. Apartments in these
buildings can generally be regarded as being targeted towards middle to upper class
members of the community. The project will contribute to the grand plan by the government
of reducing congestion in Male’ by providing more housing opportunities in Hulhumale’.
By 2019, it is projected that there will be over 1000 such housing units built in Hulhumale’.
The existing environment at the project site does not consist of any significant vegetation
and the water test result shows deteriorating water quality. There are no residents living in
close proximity to the site and there is no other structure at the site as well. However, there
are numerous similar developments including Rainbow Oceanfront building development in
Plot D2-3 and other developments by ENSIS, APOLLO holdings, DAMAS, etc along the
same road. The proposed site also directly faces the Hulhumale’ western shoreline.
During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste
generation are the major areas of concern as is the case for all similar developments. With
proper planning and project management, this can be easily mitigated. Waste is the main
concern during the operational stage of the project as well. Since this will be developed as a
condominium with multiple tenants owning the rights of the building, it has to be ensured
that the tenants are held responsible to properly manage the waste in addition to maintaining
the building. Further impacts to the adjacent construction site are foreseen. However, this
can be mitigated with proper communication and planning before project implementation. Regarding alternatives, there are no viable alternatives available for the project with respect
to location. The no project option is also not plausible at this stage and possibilities are
outside the scope of this study. Other alternatives including material, foundation type,
maintenance methodology, construction methodology are not necessarily recommended.
Recommendations had been made to proceed with the project as planned.
An environmental monitoring plan is proposed to be carried out with 2 phases; one for the
construction stage, and one for 2 years post construction. Factors to investigate include
surveying the amount of waste generation, noise pollution, traffic flow, health and safety at
site and water quality.
All the impacts as highlighted in the project can be mitigated. The socio-economic benefits
to Greater Male’ City from projects such as these is high. It also provides additional housing
opportunities, which would contribute to alleviating the housing issues in Male’ City, and
therefore mitigating the issues related to congestion. Thus, after consideration of all these
perspectives, it is recommended that this project proceed as planned, after incorporating the
mitigation measures given in this study with the commitment to implementing the
monitoring plan given. |