| Abstract: | This report is based on the proposed mixed residential building construction in Plot No. D7-
1, Hulhumale’. Two towers will be constructed, one 12 storeys and the other 14 storeys.
Both structures will have ground and first floor dedicated for parking and commercial areas.
Rest of the floors will be allocated for residential purposes. The project is being developed
by Mega Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. and constructed by the same group. They are to undertake
the construction works and project management including overseeing the EIA process.
An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works as per the requirements
of the signed agreement between Mega Infra Projects 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 100% 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 has 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 normal 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, one of the
first projects in this mixed residential apartment building program, Amin Avenue is near the
project site and is nearing completion and will be populated soon. Likewise, Treetop
hospital is also near the project site.
During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste
generation is the major areas of concern. 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
surrounding areas 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,
construction methodology are not necessarily recommended. Alternative methods in
managing and undertaking maintenance of the building is proposed. 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. |
