Projects in DHA Islamabad Expected to Help in Boosting Pakistan Properties By William King

The experts and real estate agents are well aware of current deteriorating condition of Pakistan real estate. Due to the economical and political turmoil in the country, the recent slump is deepened further. The investors have been trying hard to bring Pakistan properties on its old position for quite some time now. In different cities, different projects are underway to boost the ailing real estate market. Provincial governments have also taken bold steps on their own to help the country. For instance, LDA has implemented new computerized system in Lahore to ensure transparency in Lahore real estate.

Similar project have been initiated by independent bodies, such as DHA. In Islamabad, DHA has taken quite a few bold steps, which are expected to give a noticeable boost to Islamabad properties. Currently, many projects in DHA Islamabad are underway. Among these projects Gold Crest Towers and World Trade Center with a five-star hotel are quite prominent and appear much lucrative. Let's have a look at how both buildings can boost the real estate Pakistan in general and real estate Islamabad in particular.

Gold Crest Towers

Gold Crest Towers is a project of a UAE based company named Al-Ghurair Giga Pakistan (pvt) Ltd. This project is located in Phase II of DHA Islamabad over an area of 40 acres. The height of towers would be 300 feet. The project is currently in its initial phase but the construction work has begun. The site for both of these towers is also functional. The biggest plus point of this project is that it gives the buyer an option to choose between the modern, hi-tech sky scraping towers and traditional terrace style apartments. The towers have specially targeted the upper lower and modern class people who afford to live in more sophisticated and luxurious setup. Its apartments will have hi-tech kitchens, lavish bathrooms, ultra luxurious bedrooms and spacious dining rooms.

Due to the earthquake of Oct 2005 and Margla Tower incident, the developers have enhanced the architectural specifications many times, which will make them more secure as compared to the other towers. A dedicated parking lot for every apartment, closed circuit cameras all over the place and intercoms to access main gate and security guards are some of the salient features of Gold Crest Towers. Other amenities include swift elevators and power generators. For uninterrupted power supply, the entire complex is backed up with power generators, which completely ensure no risk of power failure.

Gold Crest Tower is among few other towers, which offer this many amenities. The Towers are meant to become the best complex in Pakistan real estate market by dividing its facilities in to two types i.e. Deluxe Living Gold crest and Executive Lounge Gold crest.

Deluxe Living Gold crest

Deluxe living Gold crest is a unique idea in itself as it offers state of the art living with urban lifestyle supported by cozy apartments and penthouses. These apartments are built around a central courtyard with easy access to apartments. Besides, every apartment is open from all sides, which ensures good sunlight and proper ventilation.

Executive Lounge Gold crest

Executive lounge at Gold crest offers a complete corporate environment. It is designed to help professionals remain in touch with the whole world with the help of state of the art technologies. All rooms have access to satellite channels, high-speed internet connections and pre-fitted laptop, printer and fax terminals. Residents have the option of choosing between smart home and the apartments, which depict digital technology.

William King is the director of Pakistan real estate, Islamabad Real Estate and Pakistan Properties. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

The Positive Effect of Project Scheduling Principle on the Environment By Eugene Lawrence

Project scheduling, or construction planning, is an extensively researched field which has been developed to manage construction projects efficiently. The streamlining of construction timeliness to allow major projects to be completed in condensed time is the ideal goal of project scheduling. The potential positive impact that construction planning could have on the environment is not widely circulated by the mainstream media. By using project scheduling principles extensively in major projects, both international companies and major government departments, have been able to complete major projects by deadline, thereby increasing profit margins and meeting tighter budgets in the current economical market.

The concepts behind construction scheduling are relatively easily understood by the uninitiated to the subject, as it is expansion on common sense, but extrapolated to become a balanced science. Previous studies on project scheduling highlighted weaknesses in the concept, and these hypothesis have been further developed and applied in the real world environment, and consequently adapted.

In order to accomplish optimum outcomes, a simplistic view of construction planing needs to be avoided. Modern project scheduling concepts of reactive scheduling need to be incorporated in order to overcome unforeseen variables, with timelines consequently adjustable. By integrating reactive scheduling into the planning stage and allowing multiple stakeholders to be allowed involvement in the planning stage, a more complete and dynamic plan can be assimilated.

Major construction projects can have a major effect on the environment in surrounding areas, as the increase of human presence and disturbance of the environment can have unpredicted effects on the surrounding eco-system. The introduction of heavy machinery and plant can cause irritation and confusion to the native fauna in the surrounding area. By reducing the time that the labour force is actively involved in the disturbance of the surrounding environment, the construction project can be completed with both decreased labour costs and decreased effect on the environment.

Project scheduling has historically only been useful in major projects where the budgets are substantial enough to utilise techniques to maximise profits. Minor projects with minimal resources have previously not benefitted from the principles involved in construction planning, as the profit margin is not as variable as in major projects.

With changing viewpoints of the effect of both major and minor construction on the environment, project scheduling is also adapting. If the goal is to decrease time of the project, not for the betterment of profit, but the decrease of impact on the environmental surroundings, the principles can stay the same but the motive need only be changed. Profits will continue to be improved, but the environmental benefits can also be promoted to both shareholder, and those involved in the projects. This contemporary viewpoint of project scheduling can also be transferred to small companies and entities that previously did not have the financial ability to utilise project scheduling principles. The increase of value on environmental sustainability may prove the motive for the initiation of construction scheduling principle, both classic and contemporary, by companies small and large as further benefit to shareholders and individuals.

Project scheduling principles when employed by both major and minor organisations could have a significant and beneficial environmental effect. By being actively involved in the distribution of the research and development of these principles, the author intends to better the environmental landscape that we shape.

Specifications and Allowances Included in Your Church Design By Jeffrey L Thomas

Every architectural design will include both drawings and specifications. The specifications are written instructions detailing the techniques, materials, and performance standards to be utilized during construction. However, there are no industry standards that dictate the completeness of the specifications. With the architect's help the owner must decide how the architect should present the specifications. The architect will prepare specifications for the project based upon the complexity of the design, the requirements of bidders and permit authorities, and the type of construction arrangement between the owner and the builder. The architect may provide a combination of three types of specifications as needed.

On a project where the church will be soliciting lump-sum bids from several builders, the plans may specify the manufacturer and model number of every light fixture, faucet, door knob, etc. This insures that every bidder is furnishing the same products and the owner can compare "apples to apples." This limits brand competition, however, and therefore may increase construction costs.

A second option is the "performance specification". The plans may say, "Furnaces to be Brand X, Model Y, or equal." This allows the bidders to submit proposals for other brands of equal performance. The architect and owner then must compare each bid carefully. This option works well when the builder has already been selected by the owner.

A third option is to specify an "allowance." Allowances are included in the project manual or on the plans along with other specifications. Allowances are utilized when the scope of the work is not known at the outset. For instance, the owners may not know what light fixtures, sound system, flooring, or pews they want to utilize on the church project. In this case, it is best to establish a dollar value to allow for this work.

All bidders on the project would include the allowance in their proposals. The church benefits by knowing that money is included in the project to cover the anticipated cost of the work. The church also gains time to "shop around" before deciding which products to use.

However, there are some potential pitfalls to allowances. Allowances inject some uncertainty into the project, which translates into risk. If the kitchen oven is not yet determined, it is difficult for the cabinetry, electrical, ventilation, etc., to be determined. More coordination and communication is required of all parties on the project. Inadequate allowances can result in a shortfall in funds at the end of the project. In the end, the use of allowances is often necessary, and does allow the church to take advantage of the best deals on products even after getting the project underway.