UDC enters Guinness World Records with three new global achievements on Gewan and The Pearl Islands

09/03/2025 07:28 AST

United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, has continued its global track record of accomplishments by securing three new Guinness World Records. This remarkable achievement further strengthens UDC's position as one of the leading real estate developers in the region.

During an official ceremony, Yasser Salah Al-Jaidah, CEO of United Development Company, received the Guinness World Record certificates in recognition of these milestones, which include the largest outdoor air-conditioned shopping mall, Largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, located on Gewan Island, and Largest pneumatic waste management network on the Pearl Island.

Largest outdoor air-conditioned mall
The Crystal Walk not only establishes itself as the largest outdoor air-conditioned mall with 7,360 square meters (79222.41 sq ft) but also impresses visitors with its exceptional design and amenities. A standout feature is the breathtaking crystal display, featuring over 10 tons of crystals and a 1000- meter crystal path, the longest in the world, creating a visually stunning environment that enhances the shopping experience.

Thanks to its state-of-the-art cooling technology, The Crystal Walk maintains a comfortable environment by achieving temperatures as low as 21- 23 degrees Celsius during the summer season. This ensures shoppers enjoy a pleasant and refreshing experience, regardless of the outdoor weather. Maintaining a consistently pleasant atmosphere, even during Qatar's hot summers, is achieved through a cutting-edge district cooling system. This system offers significant advantages over traditional individual air conditioning units, Lower energy consumption directly translates to a smaller carbon footprint. The reduced reliance on individual air conditioning units minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to retail development and Centralized cooling systems offer greater reliability than individual units. A centralized system is easier to monitor, maintain, and repair, leading to fewer disruptions and improved overall efficiency.

The 10 Crystal buildings were positioned in an oriented maximizing shading, providing a flow stream of airflow improving cooling while deploying a high-tech energy-efficient cooling system that conserves energy by at least 20% compared with conventional systems and this system mobilized a chilled water district cooling system that future reduce carbon emissions and footprint by at lowest 20 - 50% of the crystal walk.

With over 100 unique retail experiences that cater to a luxurious lifestyle, The Crystal Walk offers a diverse range of brands along with exquisite dining options. This combination of luxury and innovation transforms the mall into a comprehensive lifestyle destination, attracting a distinguished clientele.

Recently, The Crystal Walk has registered for the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) under the Green Ozone Rating for Design (GORD) certification. This commitment to sustainable design and construction is evident in features such as optimized building designs for energy efficiency and the incorporation of native landscaping and tropical landscaping with more than 13,000 tropical plants. This recognition highlights the mall's dedication to environmental responsibility and efficiency.

The combination of luxurious offerings, innovative cooling solutions, and commitment to sustainability makes The Crystal Walk a pioneering destination for shoppers and a model for future developments in retail architecture.

Largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy
Beyond the cooling system, the Crystal Walk also boasts the world's largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, covering an impressive 3,689.55 square meters (39,713.98 square feet).

This architectural marvel seamlessly blends art and technology, providing functional shade during the day and transforming into a mesmerizing light display at night, enhancing the already captivating ambience at night. This record-breaking canopy utilizes state-of-the-art LED lighting technology, offering significant advantages over traditional lighting solutions:

l Energy Efficiency: The LEDs boast an energy savings of 20% - 50% compared to conventional lighting, contributing substantially to the overall sustainability goals of Gewan Island. This reduction in energy consumption translates to lower operating costs and a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

l Longevity: LEDs have a much longer lifespan than traditional lighting, minimizing maintenance requirements and reducing waste.

l Versatility and Control: The advanced LED system allows for dynamic and customizable lighting displays, offering unparalleled versatility in creating captivating visual effects.

The lighting canopy is more than just illumination; it's an interactive spectacle. Over 1000 individual lighting points are meticulously coordinated, creating a mesmerizing array of colors, patterns, and effects. This sophisticated system integrates seamlessly with a state-of-the-art music system, synchronizing the light displays with music to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for visitors. The lighting choreography can be programmed to adapt to different events, moods, and times of day and interact with live music, ensuring a constantly evolving and engaging visual feast.

During the day, the canopy provides much-needed shade, enhancing the comfort of shoppers exploring the Crystal Walk's unique retail experiences. This thoughtful design maximizes natural light while minimizing direct sunlight exposure. The combination of advanced cooling systems and intelligent shading strategies allows for a pleasant and comfortable outdoor shopping environment regardless of the climate.

This impressive interactive lighting canopy, alongside the other innovative features of the Crystal Walk, showcases UDC's commitment to creating exceptional spaces where luxury, technology, and sustainability converge. It's not just a retail destination, but a destination for experiencing technological innovation within a luxurious and environmentally responsible environment.

Largest pneumatic waste management network
Furthermore, the company achieved another global milestone with the largest pneumatic waste management network on The Pearl Island, utilizing an advanced Pneumatic system for efficient and sustainable waste collection. These innovative solutions reflect UDC's commitment to smart environmental practices and sustainability, this system achieves fully operational 66 kilometers (41.01 miles) and more than 500 chute inlets.

The advanced pneumatic waste management system also brings a number of environmental and community benefits. It reduces vehicular movement, leading to a decrease in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the area. By minimizing traffic congestion around The Pearl Island, the system helps maintain better road service levels. The system is the first of its kind in the country since the island's inception, with an expanded network and a recent extension to Gewan Island. Moreover, the system promotes a convenient, clean, and sustainable lifestyle, encouraging residents to maintain a clean community.

On Gewan Island, the new waste management system takes advantage of the opportunity to segregate waste at disposal sites through a dual chute system. This initiative engages the community in waste segregation and aims to increase participation in recycling efforts. Currently, the recycling rate stands at 36%, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable practices and its ongoing efforts to improve environmental impact.

Commenting on this achievement, Al-Jaidah said, "This accomplishment reflects our ambitious vision and commitment to developing world-class projects that incorporate advanced technologies and sustainability principles. We are incredibly proud to achieve these Guinness World Records and will continue to deliver exceptional developments that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to The Pearl and Gewan Islands. We look forward to reaching new milestones that strengthen our leadership in the real estate sector."

This recognition adds to United Development Company's impressive track record of global achievements, having received numerous prestigious awards and certificates across various fields. Notable among these are the Crystal Residence GSAS 3 stars design and build certification, Green Organization Awards, Best CSR Awards, Golden Globe Tiger Awards, and Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards. These awards highlight the company's continuous commitment to innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its position as a leader in the real estate development sector.

UDC continues its pursuit of further global achievements by developing integrated real estate projects that adhere to the highest standards of quality and innovation. These projects further cement The Pearl and Gewan Islands as premier destinations in the region, attracting visitors and investors seeking exceptional residential and commercial environments.

The Peninsula