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Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of Thinadhoo, Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, Maldives : change of borrow area(2016-05) Musthafa, AmirThis report is the Addendum to the EIA undertaken for the Proposed Reclamation of GDh. Thinadhoo, Maldives. This addendum is based on the change of borrow area after the sand search campaign has been undertaken. More details on the sand placing method is also provided in this addendum. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under the „Jadhuvalu R‟ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. This report would further conform to the Dredging and Reclamation regulation. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions in an environmentally sound manner. The new dredging location is about 8 km west of the proposed borrow area 1 and area 3 given in the original EIA. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature and the results indicate that the proposed project has minimum negative impact and have an overall net positive outcome. The main environmental positive impacts due to this change comes from the fact that it is slightly far from the resort islands and sensitive areas, and therefore direct impact guests will be minimised. However, the change results in the borrow area being located relatively closer to the inhabited islands area, which also hosts a dive spot and a sensitive area. However, the dredging location is still over 1 km away from the inhabited area, while it is about 7km away from the nearest sensitive area. Dredging activities will no doubt increase sedimentation impacts in the area, although lasting impacts are not envisaged. There are no additional impacts due to reclamation as there is no change in scope with regards to this component. Furthermore, it is important to note that the approved dredge locations in the initial EIA were closer to the “Havodigalaa” sensitive area. Important new stakeholders for the project include Atoll council, nearby resorts, and Management at the Airports company, who may use the surrounding region of the borrow area. The stakeholders consulted did not have any significant reservations. However, they did note that the shallow reef North of the borrow area was used for bait fishing, and fishermen from Madaveli use the general area and channel for fishing. The management at the airports company inquired whether the height of the dredger would cause any issues to incoming aircrafts. Both these concerns were attended to and subsequently, the stakeholders did not have any further issues. The height of the ship will not cause any issue since the channel was south of Kaadedhoo was not going to be used, and all stakeholders will be preinformed before dredging commences. Alternative borrow area options are not viable as the sand search campaign concluded that there are no other significant sand depots within a reasonable distance from Thinadhoo. Alternative areas are those that have already been excluded. The only other viable alternative is to source sand from another region. Importing sand from abroad will be very costly and will have further negative impacts at the reclaim site. It is recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of marine water quality. The monitoring plan proposed in the original EIA is slightly updated to include more monitoring locations, near borrow area. A two stage monitoring plan is given, which recommends quarterly monitoring during the 1st year and less frequent monitoring for the next 5 years. Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures is necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the environment. It is thus recommended that since the project has major socio-economic benefits and environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Moreover, since the change in scope is relatively small, and since the initial EIA has been approved, and also considering the fact that the sand search campaign resulted in only one location within reasonable distance from Thinadhoo to obtain sand, there is no viable reason to postpone or cancel the project due to this change.Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of Feydhoo, Addu City, Maldives : change of borrow area(2016-05) Musthafa, AmirThis report is the Addendum to the EIA undertaken for the Proposed Reclamation of Feydhoo, Addu City, Maldives. This addendum is based on the change of borrow area after the sand search campaign has been undertaken. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under the ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. This report would further conform to the Dredging and Reclamation regulation. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions in an environmentally sound manner. The new dredging location is about 1.5km North of the proposed borrow area 1 given in the original EIA. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature and the results indicate that the proposed project has minimum negative impact and have an overall net positive outcome. The main environmental positive impacts due to this change comes from the fact that it is slightly far from the inhabited area, and therefore direct impact on inhabitants will be minimised. However, the change results in the borrow area being located relatively closer to the manta point, kuda kandu, and maa kandu, which a popular dive spot and sensitive areas respectively. However, the dredging location is still over 3-4km away from the sites. The area is slightly closer to the british loyalty wreck is also 3km away from the dredge area. Dredging activities will no doubt increase sedimentation impacts in the area, although lasting impacts are not envisaged. There are no additional impacts due to reclamation as there is no change in scope with regards to this component. Furthermore, it is important to note that the approved dredge locations in the initial EIA had similar distances away from other sensitive areas in the South. Important new stakeholders for the project include dive centres and fishermen who may use the surrounding region of the borrow area. While some dive centers had significant reservations and had been reported to be outright against the project taking place in the area, their reasons are not backed by sound science and there is simply a lack of information to conclude the dredging in this area will result in any lasting impact to the popular dive spots. Alternative borrow area options are not viable as the sand search campaign concluded that there are no other significant sand depots within Addu Atoll. Alternative areas are those that have already been excluded. The only other viable alternative is to source sand from another region. Importing sand from abroad will be very costly and will have further negative impacts at the reclaim site. It is recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of marine water quality. The monitoring plan proposed in the original EIA is slightly updated to include more monitoring locations, near borrow area. A two stage monitoring plan is given, which recommends quarterly monitoring during the 1st year and less frequent monitoring for the next 5 years. Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures is necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the environment. It is thus recommended that since the project has major socio-economic benefits and environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Moreover, since the change in scope is relatively small, and since the initial EIA has been approved, and also considering the fact that the sand search campaign resulted in only one location within Addu Atoll to obtain sand, there is no viable reason to postpone or cancel the project due to this change.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 11-storey building construction at Ma. Andhalus, Male’(2016-02) Jameel, Ahmed; Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 11 storey building construction at the residence, Ma. Andhalus in the capital city, Male‟. The project is being developed and constructed by FEDO Pvt. Ltd. They are to undertake the construction works and project management including overseeing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under „Jadhuvalu R‟ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. 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 the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a moderately built area in the heart of Male‟, more towards the southern side. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site, The existing environment therefore was focussed on the regional climate of Male‟, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. As could be seen from the data, this area does not encourage much traffic relative to the busier roads in Male‟. There were several existing construction sites in the neighbourhood. A general exterior overview of the existing structures in the area was also observed. It was found that most of the buildings in the area were in good condition. Older buildings were mostly single storey structures. Therefore, serious structural defects are expected to be at a minimum. However, the report recommends to undertake a structural defects inspection study of the buildings in the same block as the proposed site by civil engineering experts. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found in literature. Since the development is undertaken in a moderately built area, the results indicate that the proposed project has neutral impact. However, there are some significant impacts on the environment during the construction phase of the project and these needs to be mitigated to avoid any significant damage to the environment. Significance of the impacts and mitigation measures have been provided based on previous similar projects undertaken in the Maldivian environment and based on literature. The main cause for concern regarding this project is the impact it will have on neighbours residing in this area. As such, several short-term impacts are envisaged including air pollution, noise pollution, aesthetic impacts, and safety concerns. As there are numerous high storey building projects being undertaken in Male‟, there is no particular long term impact associated with this project. One significant impact specific to this project is the cumulative impact on the neighbourhood due to the sheer no. of construction projects that are simultaneously undertaken in the area. The impacts that do occur however can be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them. The first mitigation measure proposed includes creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Other measures include properly demarcating the area, putting up dust screens, and taking other protective measures to ensure people residing and utilising the vicinity will not have to endure the impacts during the construction stage. Foundation protection measures are recommended and are provided as part of the project to prevent impact on neighbouring structures. Dewatering procedure also needs to be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. During the operation stage of the project, parking and waste management are issues of note. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. Regarding project design, a few alternatives are recommended such as providing a green area at the terrace, while the pros and cons of making a larger parking area is also discussed. An environmental monitoring program is provided at the end of the report, which provides details on the parameters to monitor on site, and the frequency in which it needs to be done. Estimated costs for the monitoring works are given. Implementation of the program is essential for the sustainable development of the project. In conclusion, it is discussed the impact such major housing projects have for the increasing population density in Male‟, and how it can be prevented at a policy level. However, taking this project as a standalone development project in an already heavily built island city, it can be concluded that no significant long-term impacts are predicted. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with precautions and mitigation measures in place.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 14 storey building construction in G. Hudhukoka, Male’(2013-12) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 14 storey building construction at the residence, G. Hudhukoka in the capital city, Male’. The owners of the land have appointed Zonal Construction Pvt. Ltd. to undertake the construction works and project management including overseeing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. 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 the Male’ city council for the project to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a heavily built area in the heart of Male’. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site, with virtually no vegetation to be seen. The existing environment therefore was focussed on the regional climate of Male’, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. As could be seen from the data, this area could possibly be the busiest and most populated shopping area in Male’ at any given time. Due to the congested nature of the area, the existing condition of buildings nearby was important to be investigated. It was found that most of the buildings in the area were quite old and prone to vibration impacts. However, serious structural defects were at a minimum. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature. Since the development is undertaken in a heavily built area, the results indicate that the proposed project has neutral impact. However, there are some significant impacts on the environment during the construction phase of the project and these needs to be mitigated to avoid any significant damage to the environment. Significance of the impacts and mitigation measures has been provided based on previous similar projects undertaken in the Maldivian environment and based on literature. The main cause for concern regarding this project is the impact it will have on neighbours residing in this area. As such, several short-term impacts are envisaged including air pollution, noise pollution, aesthetic impacts, and safety concerns. The major longer-term impact is the effect the construction may have on neighbouring structures. These impacts can however be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them. The first mitigation measure proposed includes creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Other measures include taking protective measures to ensure people residing and utilising the vicinity will not have to endure the impacts during the construction stage. Foundation protection measures are recommended to prevent impact on neighbouring structures, and also dewatering procedure needs to be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. Regarding project design, a few alternatives are recommended such as changing the design of balcony railings for safety reasons, provide a green area at the terrace, while the pros and cons of making a parking area, or a mini mall in the building is also discussed. An environmental monitoring program is provided at the end of the report, which provides details on the parameters to monitor on site, and the frequency in which it needs to be done. Estimated costs for the monitoring works are given. Implementation of the program is essential for the sustainable development of the project. In conclusion, it is discussed the impact such major housing projects have for the increasing population density in Male’, and how it can be prevented at a policy level. However, taking this project as a standalone development project in an already heavily built area, it can be concluded that no significant long-term impacts are predicted. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with few minor changes.Item Environmental impact assessment : proposed development of 10 storey apartment building with basement in M. Two Friends, Male'(2018-02) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 10 storey building construction with basement at the residence, M. Two Friends in the capital city, Male‟. The project is being developed and constructed by the proponent, Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Pvt. Ltd. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under „Jadhuvalu R‟ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. Specifically, the inclusion of a basement comes under the Regulation. 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 the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the project to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a moderately built area in the western side of Male‟ in Maaveyo Magu. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site. The existing environment therefore was focussed on the regional climate of Male‟, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. The project area does endures moderate traffic relative to the general traffic conditions in Male‟. A general exterior overview of the existing structures in the area was also observed. It was found that most of the buildings in the area were old structures and maybe prone to some damages. However, serious structural defects are expected to be at a minimum, especially considering the standard foundation protection methods. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found in literature. Since the development is undertaken in a moderately built area, the results indicate that the proposed project has neutral impact. However, there are some significant impacts on the environment during the construction phase of the project and these needs to be mitigated to avoid any significant damage to the environment. Significance of the impacts and mitigation measures have been provided based on previous similar projects undertaken in the Maldivian environment and based on literature. The main cause for concern regarding this project is the impact it will have on neighbours residing in this area. As such, several short-term impacts are envisaged including air pollution, noise pollution, aesthetic impacts, traffic issues and safety concerns. As there are numerous high storey building projects being undertaken in Male‟, there is no particular long term impact associated specific to this project, albeit an increase in cumulative impacts. The main reason an EIA was required for the project was due to the basement construction and associated impacts. These can be mitigated by restricting the type of storage materials in the area, implementing fire safety systems, and proper mechanical ventilation and drainage. MNDF fire and rescue services require smoke vent sysms to be in place in the basement. Furthermore, submersible pumps are proposed for the project as well as general mechanical ventilation. The other impacts that do occur can also be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them. Mitigation measure proposed includes creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Other measures include taking protective measures to ensure people residing and utilising the vicinity will not have to endure the impacts during the construction stage. Foundation protection measures are recommended and are provided as part of the project to prevent impact on neighbouring structures in addition to a 1m offset from the adjacent building. Dewatering procedure will also be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. Care should also be taken to prevent any damage to the road and disruption to traffic during transport of machinery, material and equipment. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. No project option is not viable at this stage of the project. Regarding construction methodology, a few alternatives are recommended. Regarding the design, there are recommendations to make the development greener. These include interior landscaping to incorporate plants, use of green walls, use of LED lights, rooftop solar panels, etc. These are general alternatives proposed for all similar projects. An environmental monitoring program is provided at the end of the report, which provides details on the parameters to monitor on site, and the frequency in which it needs to be done. Estimated costs for the monitoring works are given. It is vital to have a building monitoring and maintenance body in place and to engage them in the monitoring program as continuous data can only be collected then. Implementation of the program is essential for the sustainable development of the project. In conclusion, it is discussed the impact such major housing projects have for the increasing population density in Male‟, and how it can be prevented at a policy level. However, taking this project as a standalone development project in an already heavily built island city, it can be concluded that no significant long-term project specific impacts are predicted, none that the island community is not yet enduring. The same conclusion had been derived for all similar building construction projects in Male‟. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with proposed precautions and mitigation measures as provided under the published guidelines and recommended in this study.Item Environmental impact assessment : proposed development of 15 storey mixed residential building at M. Chanbeylee Vilaa, Male’(2018-01) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 15 storey mixed residential building construction with basement at the residence, M. Chanbeylee Villa in the capital city, Male‟. The project is being developed and constructed by the proponent Mr. Shiham Rasheed An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under „Jadhuvalu R‟ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. Specifically, the inclusion of a basement comes under the Regulation. 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 the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the project to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a moderately built area in the western side of Male‟ in Majeedhee Magu. There is no natural terrestrial environment at site. The existing environment therefore was focussed on the regional climate of Male‟, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. The project area does endures moderate traffic relative to the general traffic conditions in Male‟. A general exterior overview of the existing structures in the area was also observed. It was found that most of the buildings in the area were old structures and maybe prone to some damages. However, serious structural defects are expected to be at a minimum, especially considering the standard foundation protection methods. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found in literature. Since the development is undertaken in a moderately built area, the results indicate that the proposed project has neutral impact. However, there are some significant impacts on the environment during the construction phase of the project and these needs to be mitigated to avoid any significant damage to the environment. Significance of the impacts and mitigation measures have been provided based on previous similar projects undertaken in the Maldivian environment and based on literature. The main cause for concern regarding this project is the impact it will have on neighbours residing in this area. As such, several short-term impacts are envisaged including air pollution, noise pollution, aesthetic impacts, traffic issues and safety concerns. As there are numerous high storey building projects being undertaken in Male‟, there is no particular long term impact associated specific to this project, albeit an increase in cumulative impacts. The main reason an EIA was required for the project was due to the basement construction and associated impacts. These can be mitigated by restricting the type of storage materials in the area, implementing fire safety systems, and proper mechanical ventilation and drainage. Submersible pumps are proposed for the project as well as mechanical ventilation. The other impacts that do occur can also be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them. Mitigation measure proposed includes creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Other measures include taking protective measures to ensure people residing and utilising the vicinity will not have to endure the impacts during the construction stage. Foundation protection measures are recommended and are provided as part of the project to prevent impact on neighbouring structures in addition to a 1m offset from the adjacent building. Dewatering procedure will also be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. Care should also be taken to prevent any damage to the road and disruption to traffic during transport of machinery, material and equipment. Additionally, water tanks should be incorporated as part of the project to cater for both booster pumps and wet rise system, which are requirements for the building. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. No project option is not viable at this stage of the project. Regarding construction methodology, a few alternatives are recommended. Regarding the design, there are recommendations to make the development greener. These include interior landscaping to incorporate plants, use of green walls, use of LED lights, rooftop solar panels, etc. An environmental monitoring program is provided at the end of the report, which provides details on the parameters to monitor on site, and the frequency in which it needs to be done. Estimated costs for the monitoring works are given. Implementation of the program is essential for the sustainable development of the project. In conclusion, it is discussed the impact such major housing projects have for the increasing population density in Male‟, and how it can be prevented at a policy level. However, taking this project as a standalone development project in an already heavily built island city, it can be concluded that no significant long-term project specific impacts are predicted, none that the island community is not yet enduring. The same conclusion had been derived for all similar building construction projects in Male‟. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with proposed precautions and mitigation measures as provided under the published guidelines and recommended in this study.Item Proposed 5000 social housing units development project in Hulhumale’ phase II : environment impact assessment(2018-01) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 5000 social housing units proposed for Hulhumale’ Phase II. 40 buildings in total will be built as part of the project, each 14 storeys high. The exact number of housing units to be developed as part of the project is 5040 units. The project is being developed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and constructed by China Nantong Sanjian Construction Group Co. Ltd, which will oversee the development and project management including managing the EIA process. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works due to the large scale of the project with high rise buildings. 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, which also has the responsibility to set guidelines and oversee all developments in Hulhumale’. The project consists of the development of 1/3 of the larger program by HDC to establish 15,000 social housing units in Hulhumale’ within the next 2 – 3 years. Other similar EIAs have been done recently, most notably for the 7000 housing units project, 2500 housing unit project and 1394 housing unit project. Apartments in these buildings can generally be regarded as being targeted towards lower class members of the community, who cannot afford commercial housings. The project will contribute to the grand plan by the government of reducing congestion in Male’ by providing a large number of housing opportunities in Hulhumale’. By 2019, it is projected that the new housing units would accommodate approximately 80,000 people. Similar to the other building EIA’s in Phase II, 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 Phase II yet and there is no other structure at the site as well. However, there are other similar developments previously stated projects. Other development in the land include development of the 7000 housing units, shore protection and road construction, which is currently ongoing. During the construction stage, health and safety standards of the workers at site, and waste generation is the major areas of concern as is the case for similar developments. With proper planning and project management, this can be easily mitigated. Impacts on water quality due to dewatering as identified can be mitigated by dewatering inland. Waste is the main concern during the operational stage of the project, in addition to social issues. 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 maintain the building. Impacts that may occur due to conflicts with other developments being undertaken simultaneously can be mitigated with proper communication and planning before project implementation. Long term social issues are envisaged due to a large population living in a concentrated area. Several social and legislative mitigation measures are proposed to counter this, including greater policing activities, larger public spaces, etc. Also concerns regarding fire safety exists. Proper fire safety measures are very important to be established as well as additional features such as sprinkler systems in each floor. In addition to fire safety, other impacts due to fuel storage at site and use and storage of chemicals are cause for concern. These can be mitigated by following the fuel and chemical storage standards and best practice methods. Regarding alternatives, there are no viable alternatives available for the project with respect to location, as the most suitable location had been predetermined during the planning stage. 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. Recommendations had been made to proceed with the project as planned. It is recommended to dewater inland to an empty land close to the project site after excavating the area to ensure that water is contained in the allocated area, and will not have any negative impact on the groundwater aquifer. 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. The project in general has minimum impact as it is being undertaken in newly developing land, similar to the other current developments in the area. All project specific building related impacts highlighted in the study, including those related for fire risks, health and safety, and fuel and chemical storage and use can be mitigated. The socio-economic benefits to Greater Male’ City from projects such as these is very high. The project would go a long way in providing much needed 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. Furthermore, proper planning and stronger legislation is required to ensure sustainability of all these new major condominium projects and to ensure maximum benefits are reaped from them. Building maintenance legislation needs to be strengthened to ensure such projects provide the maximum benefits to the community with minimum risks over a long period.Item Environmental impact assessment : proposed 8 storey building development with basement in Ma. Gongali, Male'(2019-01) Musthafa, AmirThis report is based on the proposed 08 Storey Building Construction with Basement at the residence, Ma. Gongali in the capital city, Male’. The project is being developed and by the proponent and one of the land lords, Mr. Mohamed Fazeeh. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. Specifically, the inclusion of a basement comes under the Regulation. 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 the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the project to proceed. The area the project is proposed to be undertaken is a moderately built area. The project is based in Male in the Machangoalhi district, in Rahdhebai Magu. There is no notable natural terrestrial environment at site as generally the case. The existing environment therefore was focussed on the regional climate of Male’, and the traffic distribution, and noise pollution in the area. The project area does endure moderate traffic relative to the general traffic conditions in Male’. A visual exterior inspection of the existing structures in the area was also observed. Serious structural defects are expected to be at a minimum, especially considering the standard foundation protection methods. The structure south of the project site is very old and vulnerable to impacts during excavation. However, regular contact had been established by the proponent and the landlord of the property and any damages would be repaired by the proponent. The condition of the road in the area is generally good. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks in literature. Since the development is undertaken in a moderately built area, the results indicate that the proposed project has neutral impact. However, there are some significant impacts on the environment during the construction phase of the project and these needs to be mitigated to avoid any significant damage to the environment. Significance of the impacts and mitigation measures have been provided based on previous similar projects undertaken in the Maldivian environment and based on literature. Considering the numerous other similar projects being simultaneously undertaken in Male’, there is considerable cumulative impacts overall from all these projects. The main cause for concern regarding such projects is the impact it will have on neighbours residing in this area. As such, several short-term impacts are envisaged including air pollution, noise pollution, aesthetic impacts, traffic issues and safety concerns. The main reason an EIA was required for the project was due to the basement in the structure. Most impacts that do occur can also be easily mitigated to minimise and/or completely nullify them as most similar projects in Male’. Mitigation measure proposed includes initially creating awareness among the construction staff and neighbours regarding the scope of the project. Signboards are recommended to be placed at all times. Additionally a labourer watchman should be placed at the site ground floor to guide any pedestrians passing the project area. Project vehicles and materials not taking up the parking space around the project area is also an important measure. Freeing up parking space near the project area for continuous flow of traffic. Other measures include taking protective measures to ensure people residing and utilising the vicinity will not have to endure the impacts during the construction stage including timing of the project works. Foundation protection measures are recommended and are provided as part of the project to prevent impact on neighbouring structures in addition to a 1m offset from the adjacent building. Dewatering procedure will also be undertaken with care, details of which are given in the report. Care should also be taken to prevent any damage to the road and disruption to traffic during transport of machinery, material and equipment. As the proposed project is virtually at the center of Male’, dewatering pipes will be lengthy and will cause obstruction to a large number of pedestrians. Alternatives, including the no project option and alternatives for some project components are also discussed. No project option is not viable at this stage of the project. Regarding construction methodology, a few alternatives are recommended. Regarding the design, there are recommendations to make the development greener. These include interior landscaping to incorporate plants, use of green walls, use of LED lights, rooftop solar panels, etc. An environmental monitoring program is provided at the end of the report, which provides details on the parameters to monitor on site, and the frequency in which it needs to be done. Estimated costs for the monitoring works are given. Implementation of the program is essential for the sustainable development of the project. In conclusion, it is discussed the cumulative impact such major housing projects have for the increasing population density in Male’, and how it can be prevented at a policy level. However, taking this project as a standalone development project in an already heavily built island city, as is the case for all these similar developments, it can be concluded that no significant long-term project specific impacts are predicted. None that the island community is not currently enduring. The same conclusion had been derived for all similar building construction projects in Male’. Therefore, it is recommended that the project go ahead as proposed with proposed precautions and mitigation measures as provided under the published guidelines and recommended in this study, especially with regards to site safety. Furthermore, it is discussed on the importance of strengthening legislation to ensure sustainability of these types of building projects and to improve the worsening living conditions in Male’.