Message from the Chief Community Management Officer
Dear Resident,
Happy New Year 2025!
I am delighted to address you on behalf of Dubai Holding’s recently formed community management arm with the aim to provide premium community management services by managing and nurturing our communities where residents truly understand a sense of belonging.
With the evolution of Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) after the 2024 merger announcement of Nakheel and Meydan with Dubai Holding, it gives me immense pride to share that we now manage a portfolio spanning 1.35 billion square feet of total area that includes 53 prestigious Master Communities and 383 Jointly Owned Properties. This accounts for 40% of the market share and housing one-third of Dubai’s population.
As we build tomorrow together, I look forward to serving our communities through customercentric, communityfocused and technologydriven initiatives and approaches and truly emerging as a flagbearer in community management.
We have wrapped up an eventful year with the celebration of festive, family and social events in the closing chapter of 2024, bringing us together in moments of happiness and community joy. In this edition, you will read about our accolades from the year that bear testament to the dedication of our exceptional team and reinforce our commitment to delivering vibrant communities for generations to come.
As you browse through this newsletter, I hope you will find useful our tips for upkeep and maintenance in and around your property, resolutions for being a good neighbour, important safety guidelines, key responsibilities of a resident and the community manager and our recent strides in green mobility. We are also proud to share our first-ever Sustainability Report published in 2024.
I am eager as is my team and certain that 2025 will be a year of greater opportunities – bigger, better and brighter and I want to thank you in advance for your trust and confidence in us. We look forward to offering you an unparalleled community living experience in the months to follow.
Francis Giani
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS
Come rain or shine, your community undergoes several improvements and upgrades all through the year. Here is a slice of all that was planned and undertaken in and around your neighbourhood in 2024.
Greenscapes in Bloom
With a fresh season upon us across Villanova, we welcomed a diverse range of plants and flowering additions in full bloom. Warmly welcoming residents and visitors to the community near the main gates are a showcase of 10,164 vibrant, multi-coloured petunias.
45 yellow and red flame trees, with their colourful flowers greet you along the streetscapes and open areas. With each season bringing a new array of hues, the display creates a dynamic and visually appealing atmosphere, reflecting the community's commitment to natural beauty and providing an inviting environment for both residents and visitors.
These additions have been handpicked and planned by our landscaping experts, positively contributing to the harmonious blend of greenery and structure for motorists and residents navigating the neighbourhood. Not only does this comprehensive soft landscaping adds a fresh breath of green and a splash of colour into these spaces, but also is testament to our commitment to create bright communities that appeal to all passersby alike.
Eyes on Security
New Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at the community entrance and exit, reflecting our ongoing commitment to improving both security and convenience for all residents.
The new ANPR system will automatically capture and verify vehicle number plates, allowing for quicker access and smoother traffic flow in and out of the parking areas. With enhanced monitoring, residents can expect improved security, ensuring that only authorised vehicles are granted access.
This upgrade not only helps streamline the driving experience into Villanova but also strengthens overall safety across the community.
A Sign of Community Pride
The main signage at Villanova Gate 1 was refurbished and given a complete makeover to enhance the main entrance’s visibility, aesthetics and overall durability. This makeover exercise comprised a comprehensive restoration of the existing sign including cleaning, repairing and replacing any damaged components. In addition, the design and materials of the sign have been updated to align with modern standards and reflect a more contemporary and professional appearance.
The restored sign serves as a more prominent and welcoming feature for visitors and residents alike, providing clear identification of the gate while improving the overall first impression of the community.
YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS
Popsicle Party
Our roaming popsicle cart made a pitstop at Villanova’s Street of Dreams on Sunday, 1 September for wholesome fun. With free popsicles on the menu, reeling in residents young and old, there was no better way to beat the waning summer heat. We’re talking popsicles with names as great as their flavours - mighty mango, fancy choco, galactic lime, super strawberry, very raspberry and crazy coconut. Residents agreed - it doesn’t get cooler than this!
Kids’ Science Fair
The bright scientists and young explorers at Villanova came together on Saturday, 28 September 2024 at the Street of Dreams area for four hours of non-stop fun.
It was a day filled with discovery, excitement and mindblowing experiments. The budding scientists also got a chance to channel their creativity with arts and crafts workshops, model mini-rocket launchers and participated in live science demonstrations. A spellbinding astrobubble show and cool stage performances caught the attention of the little scientists.
It was a lovely community gathering as families drew together for an evening of explosive fun, imagination and creativity!
Farmers' Market
Villanova residents came together to experience the family-friendly Farmers’ Market on Saturday, 5 October 2024 at the Street of Dreams.
Neighbours, friends and the community’s little ones came together to explore and pick their share of local produce and products. Exciting games such as egg tossing, word search and picnic games kept the visitors entertained. Younger visitors were spellbound by bubble shows while others tried their hand at veggie and fruit stamping and creating farm animal puppets to take home as a souvenir.
Events such as these are the essence of community celebrations and we look forward to an exciting series of events in the coming months.
A Spooktacular Halloween Party
It was a frightfully fun time as residents came together on Sunday, 27 October at the Villanova Halloween Party hosted at the Street of Dreams area.
Visitors were treated to haunted house adventures, photo booth fun, spooky games & activities for kids, pumpkin carving activities, monster mash dance party and food trucks for delicious grub and much more.
From the little ones trick-or-treating in their creative costumes to the thrilling activities enjoyed by all ages, this Halloween truly brought our community together for a day full of fun, laughter, and of course, a little bit of fright!
Festival of Lights
Residents gathered on Sunday, 3 November at Street of Dreams in Villanova, all dressed up in traditional Indian attire to celebrate Diwali with fun-filled activities, delicious food and vibrant decorations.
Younger residents celebrated the Festival of Lights by learning to make an intricate festive lantern to take home and trying their hand at making the beautiful rangoli patterns. With traditional snacks and a delicious spread of sweets, it was truly a treat for every palate. Adding to the festivities of the evening were the talented dancers who took to the stage, enthralling the crowds with their energetic Bollywood moves.
Tree Planting Day
It was a day filled with eco-friendly activities on Thursday, 14 November at Villanova’s La Rosa 3 Central Park.
Neighbours, friends and the community’s younger folks poured out of their homes to pledge to take steps to protect the planet. Residents gathered together to get their hands dirty and put their green thumbs to use to add a little more green to the community. It was a great evening to meet new neighbours and catch up with old friends.
Champion’s Day
Champion’s Day at Villanova was a celebration of fitness and fun that brought together residents, families and friends a day of recognition, competition and connection on Friday, 22 November at the Street of Dreams. Residents enjoyed fitness challenges, games, interactive sessions and healthy treats and even took home amazing prizes.
This event highlights the spirit of community, where every resident, no matter their age or background, is celebrated for their contributions to making Villanova a vibrant and thriving place to live.
Eid Al Etihad
Residents, families and friends commemorated the UAE’s Union Day at Villanova to honour the spirit of unity and the rich culture of our great nation.
The momentous event was hosted on Saturday, 30 November at the Street of Dreams and featured cultural performances, engaging activities and the warmth of community spirit. Little ones enjoyed arts and crafts, live displays of UAE tradition, a delectable selection of Emirati cuisine and plenty more.
Santa's Toy Factory
A world of winter wonder was created at the doorsteps at Villanova’s Street of Dreams Area on Saturday, 14 December. Residents navigated the frosty wonderland’s many surprises – sparkling trees, whimsical decorations and wonders at every corner. All were entertained by carnival games, listening to the tunes of the carolers and the live band parade. The highlight for most was visiting Santa at his grotto, lending an ear to your Christmas wishlist.
Younger residents dove right in at the snow zone, dropped off their handwritten letters into Santa’s Letterbox, tried their hands at gingerbread crafts and took home fun prizes. It was a picture-perfect Christmas like no other.
Be a Good Neighbour
It’s a wonderful time to reflect on how you could contribute to a positive and happy collective community living experience in your neighbourhood. Save these recommendations that topped our charts and share it with your circle.
Keep it
Cordial
Lend a smile and a simple hello to a neighbour you encounter on that evening walk or even the security personnel or service provider who helps you with an enquiry.
Bring Down the Volume
Avoid throwing a big noisy bash or turning up the music to deafening decibels after 10 PM or reasonable hours. No neighbour wants to be privy to your loud conversations or arguments.
Park
Appropriately
Park only in driveways or parking spaces that are assigned to you or in zones reserved for parking – do not encroach the neighbour’s spot or run your wheels on the sidewalk or grass.
Stay Sustainable
Practice reducing waste, recycling more, making eco-friendly choices and conserving energy.
Avoid littering outside your property and put your trash in the designated bins and areas. Go green and inspire your household, especially the younger folk to embrace it.
Respect Thy Neighbour
If you are having a problem with a neighbour, try first to resolve the situation peacefully in person with respect and understanding – this goes a long way.
Referring the Community Rules as a great reference point could help - for what’s allowed and not allowed within and outside your property. Reach out to your community management team if you still need help resolving or reaching a common ground.
Remembering these community rules help cultivate an open line of communication amongst your diverse pool of neighbours and sustains friendships for a long time to come.
Being Water-Wise
Water conservation is a shared responsibility that begins within our communities. By implementing water-wise practices, each home can make a significant impact. We believe that starting a conversation about mindful water use can initiate a ripple effect creating a cumulative impact in residents’ daily lives.
Below are a few practical ways to reduce your household’s water consumption and subsequently, even manage your water bills
Install water-efficient appliances
▶ Low-flow or dual-flush toilets
▶ Water-saving showerheads
▶ Energy-efficient washing machines and dishwashers (look out for an A-rated energy label)
▶ Aerators on faucets and showerheads
Reduce water usage
▶ Shorten showers
▶ Fully load washing machine or dishwasher
▶ Use greywater for gardening
Optimise irrigation systems
▶ Drip irrigation
▶ Rainwater harvesting
Fix leaks promptly
These tips would be particularly helpful in reducing your water consumption and associated utility charges, in light of the recent revisions in the nation-wide sewerage tariffs.
HOT TIP
Install smart water meters if you do not have them already (recommended by DEWA) and use the linked smart applications to monitor both current and historical detailed readings to keep a tab on your home’s consumption.
e-Scooter Battery Safety
With the increased use of e-bikes and e-scooters comes a corresponding fire safety concern associated with their charging and storage. We urge users to take note of these key messages for the safety of their household and those in it.
▶ Do not charge batteries overnight or for an extended period of time.
▶ Always place them on hard, flat surfaces to allow for optimal dissipation of heat.
▶ Watch out for damages or bloated, corroded batteries or powdered batteries.
▶ Keep charging batteries and e-scooters away from combustible materials and away from escape paths.
▶ Safely dispose of batteries when they can no longer be used.
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT
The Why and What Explained
As your Community Manager, Dubai Holding Community Management oversees and maintains the common areas and services in your community, ensuring smooth operations and a positive living environment.
This includes managing the administration, utilities, improvements, new recreational areas, community income, health and safety initiatives, technological innovations, day-to-day communication with residents and enforcement of community rules and regulations.
Community service/usage charges are collected from homeowners to pay for community upkeep and maintenance, community insurance, electricity for the common areas, waste management, landscaping and all that makes your neighbourhood tick as per clockwork.
Areas under the Residents’ responsibility
Home upkeep, repairs and maintenance including private landscaping if applicable.
Damages caused to common areas during move in (directly or by moving company)
Disposal of large furniture and junk. Household waste can be disposed of at designated areas.
Home utility connections and charges bills such as water, electricity and gas
Modifications, renovations or internal decor upgrades (with relevant permits)
Pest control services within homes
Home/Content insurance for personal property and belongings
Areas under your Community Manager’s responsibility*
Operations Management
▶ Day-to-day administration
▶ Resolution of residents’ issues (not related to in-unit matters)
▶ Management of Owners’ Committee
▶ Regular supervision and inspection of communities and services
▶ Operation and management of communities including cleaning and upkeep of shared facilities and waste management services
▶ Common area management and maintenance including landscaping, street lighting and pathways, security services, repairs and maintenance of common area infrastructure such as elevators, pumps and HVAC systems
Technical Management
▶ Contract management
▶ Technical inspections
▶ Compliance with health and safety standards
▶ Facilities management
▶ Infrastructure, providing a comfortable living experience
Customer Engagement
▶ Customer Experience
▶ Focus groups
▶ Social events
▶ Festive celebrations
▶ Donation drives
▶ Sustainability-themed initiatives
▶ Resident communications
▶ Surveys, polls and more
Financial Management
▶ Budgeting
▶ Community usage charge payments
▶ Accounting services
▶ Regular auditing and reporting
▶ Managing service contracts
▶ Administrative costs including staffing and operational expenses
▶ All financial aspects related to communal spaces
*including, but not limited to
As a leader in the community management industry, we pride ourselves in creating and managing vibrant, sustainable communities across Dubai. Our focus is on ensuring that all communities are well-maintained, secure and operate efficiently.
NEWS & UPDATES
Sustainability Report Journey 2023
In the lead up to World Sustainability Day, DHCM launched its first Sustainability Journey Report in October 2024.
This report marks a significant milestone in our unwavering commitment to sustainability and highlights our strategic approach to sustainability, showcasing how our efforts align with the broader sustainability goals of the UAE, Dubai and Dubai Holding.
As we continue on this journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency and collaboration. By working closely with our stakeholders, we aim to drive meaningful progress and achieve our shared vision of a sustainable future for the good of tomorrow.
We invite you to read our Sustainability Journey Report 2023 here.
Making Inroads with Green Mobility
Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Etisalat Services Holding, e& on 15 October 2024 to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across a range of DHCM-managed communities.
The agreement provides the services of charging stations powered by Charge&go - the electric mobility subsidiary of e&, across City Walk, Port de La Mer and Jumeira Bay Island, wherein users will be charged based on the services utilised by them.
This aligns with the national vision towards sustainable mobility and e&’s role in strengthening the e-mobility ecosystem across the UAE, as more consumers transition to electric vehicles.
Hatrick Win for Community Management
Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) received top honours across several reputed industry awards this year, solidifying its position as a flagbearer in the community management industry with its world-class communitycentric services for homeowners and residents.
Here are some of the titles we garnered in 2024.
Customer Happiness Awards
World Realty Congress
Awards
Dubai Holding Community Management won the ‘Best Community Management Company of the Year' and 'Best Customer Experience Initiative of the Year'.
Smart Built Environment Awards
Nakheel Community Management and Dubai Community Management were named as the ‘Community Management Company of the Year’.
Nakheel Community Management and Dubai Community Management won the top honours with the ‘Customer Happiness Company of the Year – Large category’.
We also won the ‘Best Contact Centre Initiative to Enhance Customer Happiness’ for the exemplary efforts during the April 2024 rains.
These regional and international recognitions celebrated a range of trailblazers dedicated to embedding customer satisfaction into their operations and delivering top-notch community management experiences in the UAE.
Meet Real Estate’s Sporting
CHAMPS
Dubai Holding Community Management’s football squad emerged second place at the Active Communities Football Tournament hosted by the Dubai Land Department that spanned the Dubai 30x30 Fitness Challenge.
Up against leading real estate giants and industry peers, team DHCM clinched a strong 3-1 victory over Dubai Land Department (DLD) in the first match setting the tone for the competition. A thrilling semi-final and final face off later with the DLD squad a second time, DHCM emerged runner up and won an additional credit for their Best Goalkeeper.
The sporting event by the region’s regulator seeks to nurture a culture of sports, encouraging participation from diverse segments of society, especially real estate developments across Dubai, contributing to the growth of an outstanding sports community in the city.
Dubai Holding Community Management
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