A visiting delegation of the Community Associations Institute (CAI), a US-based national institute working to foster harmonious homeowner associations, addressed the Dubai Community Forum recently, at The Palace, The Old Town. The Forum was attended by community and strata managers and consultants from leading property developers and community management companies in Dubai.
Mr Ahmad Al Falasi, Executive Director – Property Management, Emaar Properties, said: "The Community Associations Institute in the US is one of the foremost organisations in the world that has laid out best practices in community management and homeowner associations. The senior management of CAI shared their experiences with Dubai's community managers and, highlighted the need for professional education to ensure the Dubai Freehold communities are managed according to international best practices."
He added: "Dubai is now leading the region in setting industry benchmarks in community management. The policies outlined by RERA, Dubai Land Department and other government authorities regarding freehold and jointly owned properties have encouraged greater degree of transparency and accountability in the real estate market. This forum, which was also attended by senior managers from RERA, helped community managers to understand the challenges involved, share best practices, facilitate dialogue and encourage the development of Dubai's professional community management community."
Mr Jeevan J D'Mello, Director- Emaar Community Management, said: "Emaar is the first company in the Middle East to have its whole community management team trained by the top training faculty of CAI. The Dubai Community Manager Forum served as a platform for us to exchange our learning with other community managers in Dubai and thus further strengthen the guidelines for robust community relations."
The Community Associations Institute is the only national organisation in the US dedicated to strengthening homeowner associations. For more than 35 years, CAI has been the leader in providing education and resources to both the volunteer homeowners who govern community associations and the professional community managers who support them.
In line with the new governmental regulations, leading property developers in Dubai have created community management departments. As the pioneer in freehold properties in Dubai, Emaar Community Management has been instrumental in rolling out several initiatives that bring together community members.
