An image of a sustainable city. (Image source: Canva)

At a recent seminar on climate-resilient solutions, Dr. Jacinta Dsilva, research director at SEE Institute, highlighted the critical need for sustainable urban planning to address the growing environmental challenges facing communities, particularly in the UAE and the Middle East.

With increasing urbanisation, the region is experiencing extreme weather patterns, including fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable rainfall, which pose threats to urban infrastructure and human well-being.

Dr. Dsilva emphasised that while developed countries have the resources to manage climate-related challenges, developing nations face more significant hurdles. She explained, “The challenge is these can be managed by developed countries. What about developing countries or countries that are dealing with much more climate-related challenges?” This gap, she noted, requires innovative, accessible, and affordable solutions.

Climate-resilient built environment

Among the key solutions discussed were nature-based approaches to flood resilience, such as wetlands. “Wetlands reduce flood risks by up to 40%,” said Dr. Dsilva, adding that creating such ecosystems in vulnerable areas could greatly mitigate the impact of climate change. She also pointed out the importance of addressing urban heat islands, a major issue in the Middle East. Implementing solutions like “cool roofs” and “urban forests” can reduce temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, offering relief from the intense heat.

Dr. Dsilva also stressed the importance of incorporating sustainable urban design and green spaces into city planning. “Sustainable urban planning enhances both physical and mental well-being,” she said, explaining how walkable spaces, parks, and community events foster a sense of social connectivity and contribute to healthier communities. According to her, creating more opportunities for social interaction is crucial in today’s world, where digital distractions often isolate individuals from their neighbours.

Another vital area of focus is waste segregation and recycling. Dr. Dsilva highlighted the need for a circular economy, noting that “if we know how to segregate waste right from the source, we will be able to reduce at least 70% of the waste going to the landfill.” She commended the UAE government for its initiatives, such as the large waste-to-energy plant in Dubai, which is set to generate energy from organic waste.

As climate challenges intensify, Dr. Dsilva called for collective action: “We need to really work on SDG number six, which is clean water and sanitation.” She urged communities and governments to incorporate sustainable practices and technologies to build a more resilient future.

The new crane benefits from the latest enhancements for Potain self-erecting cranes. (Image source: Manitowoc)

Manitowoc, a leading provider of engineered lifting solutions, will debut the new Potain Igo M 24-19 at the Batimat exhibition, running in Paris, France, from 30 September to 3 October

Replacing the best-selling Igo M 14, the new crane joins the Igo MA 21 and Hup M 28-22 A in the company’s range of mobile self-erecting cranes. Measuring 11.83 M in length in the folded position, the crane is well suited to manoeuvring through narrow and restricted jobsites, making it ideal for new home construction and renovations.

Boasting three jib configuration options of 12.3 m and 21 m as well as the full 24 m option, versatility has been prioritised to enable the crane to easily adapt to jobsite requirements.

“At Potain, we are driven to deliver innovative solutions that fit the market, and our customer’s needs. The new Igo M 24-19 optimises compactness, mobility, performance, and productivity for our customers to increase their return on investment,” said Rémi Deporte, self-erecting cranes product manager at Manitowoc.

The Igo M 24-19 has a permanent ballast installed and offers three steering axle options for travel. There is a 25 km/h tow bar, an 80 km/h tow bar, and a fifth wheel. The maximum capacity of the Igo M 24-19 is 1.8 t and will lift to 570 kg at its maximum jib length of 24 m. The height under hook is 19 m. Additionally, the crane can work in a raised jib position of 11° or 20° when more height under hook is needed.

The latest advancements from Potain are included in the crane’s design, including Smart Set-Up, Potain Crane Control System, Drive Control, Power Control, Steering Axle, and the Potain CONNECT telematics system. There are also several productivity options available including an onboard generator for power independence, hydraulic levelling for easier crane setup, Potain Plus load curve software, and the Top Site working range limiter.

Swappable battery docks. (Image source: Hitachi Construction Machinery)

Hitachi Construction Machinery, a construction machinery manufacturer, has announced a collaboration with Dimaag-Al, a leading provider of electric solutions, to design and deliver to the market a 1.7-ton electrified hydraulic excavator

Expected to be completed by December 2024, the partnership aims to unveil the vehicle at Bauma 2025 in Munich before launching the product on the European market in 2027. The industry-leading machine will be geared towards use in urban construction and indoor demolition.

“To realise zero-emission, it is important to provide not only our products but also solutions combined with related products such as energy storage system,” remarked Kazunori Nakamura, vice president and executive officer, CTO, president of Power & Info Control Platform Business Unit and Research & Development Group. “For this purpose, the collaboration with various partners is the key to success. Since the battery module for this collaboration from Dimaag is versatile and applicable to various electric products, further acceleration of the electrification at construction sites can be expected. We are excited to partner with an innovative company like Dimaag and would like to expand our electrified vehicle lineup.”

High power construction machinery

Hitachi will provide technical information of the base machine and specification requirements for the electrification while Dimaag will integrate its Electric No Compromise Off-Road Ecosystem (ENCORE). First showcased at Consumer Electric Show 2024, ENCORE is comprised of Dimaag’s high power, swappable battery modules, advanced thermal management system, inverters, motors, power electronics and software for EVs as well as charging stations.

Ian Wright, cofounder of Tesla and VP engineering at Dimaag, commented, “Dimaag’s ENCORE technology has been deployed across multiple prototype off-road vehicles to validate our design intent of no compromise on safety, all-day performance, and affordability. We are honoured to partner with Hitachi Construction Machinery to be a pioneer and enable economies of scale for the ENCORE tech stack. This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving electrification of agricultural and construction machinery, with no compromises.”

Volvo's approach focuses on reducing operational costs while maintaining high performance and durability. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo CE has introduced its new EC400 and EC500 excavators as hybrid models, delivering a 17% increase in fuel efficiency and a 15% reduction in both CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption.

These excavators represent the latest advancements in Volvo's hybrid range and mark a significant step toward more environmentally sustainable operations.

The EC400 and EC500, weighing in at 40 and 50 tons respectively, are now the largest models in Volvo’s hybrid portfolio, joining previous models like the EC380E, EC350E, EC300E, and EC250E hybrids.

These machines utilise Volvo’s hydraulic hybrid technology, which captures energy from the excavator’s boom as it moves downward. This energy is stored in an accumulator and then used to power the assist motor, reducing overall fuel consumption and emissions.

Improving efficiency

Volvo's approach focuses on reducing operational costs while maintaining high performance and durability.

The hybrid models are designed with a simpler electro-hydraulic system, which uses fewer hoses and couplings, resulting in lower maintenance costs and increased reliability. The machines also feature reinforced undercarriages, strengthened bucket linkages, and optional heavy-duty superstructures to handle demanding tasks with ease.

Otmar Kirsch, product manager excavator, commented, "The expansion of our Hybrid range into our new generation excavators represents the merging of our most advanced hybrid technology with a new and modern design that takes customers into the future.”

The EC400 and EC500 provide a more spacious and ergonomic operator environment, enhancing the overall user experience. With Volvo’s hybrid technology, these excavators deliver improved fuel efficiency and performance, ensuring that customers can operate more sustainably while meeting the challenges of modern construction.