Dubai was the world's best performing real estate market during 2013 with price growth nudging 35 percent, Knight Frank has revealed in a new report. The Knight Frank Global House Price Index showed mainstream property prices in the emirate rose by 34.8 percent during the last 12 months. Although the increase slowed slightly in the last six months to 15.3 percent, Knight Frank said prices in Dubai were still 25 percent below their 2008 peak. Globally, the Knight Frank Global House Price Index rose by 8.4 percent in 2013, with 11 markets including China, the US and Turkey registering double digit growth last year. Ukraine, Croatia and Greece were the weakest-performing housing markets in 2013, Knight Frank said, adding that house prices rose in 39 countries of the 56 covered, compared with 27 in 2012. Several emerging markets, despite their economic wobble in 2013, still recorded a strong performance. Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia and Colombia were ranked in the top 10 in terms of annual price growth, each having recorded double digit growth. Europe continued to dominate the lower half of the table but the rate of decline slowed in countries such as France, Spain and the Netherlands.

According to local mass media the first eco-friendly mosque in Islamic world is 85 percent complete and is set to open its doors to worshippers shortly. The eco-friendly mosque would be the largest of its kind in Dubai, spreading across 9750 square meters with a built-up area of 4200 square meters. The mosque can accommodate 3,500 worshippers. The project, which will be located near the Deira Clock Tower, aims to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for conformance to the sustainability requirements of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The mosque integrates renewable energy solutions in its design. This is illustrated in the exterior lighting poles that are fitted with solar panels, battery storage system that is powered by solar energy, and the use of solar panels instead of energy-draining electric heaters for the purpose of water heating. The use of energy-saving LED lights over regular bulbs, and a control system that automatically switches on the lights to correspond with prayer times or in the presence of an individual in the hall are some of the other eco-friendly solutions integrated into the design of the mosque. In addition to daylight sensors in the extension of the mosque, a climate control system has also been installed to regulate the air-conditioning units according to prayer times and the number of worshippers. Among other solutions used is thermal insulation in the building material for roofs and exterior walls to reduce heat transfer, and double-glazed windows with metal coating to minimize the intensity of solar radiation into the mosque. Technologically advanced equipment has also been installed for improving indoor air quality and the performance of the air-conditioning system. Last year Turkey also announced plans to build world's first eco mosque, which will use green technologies, for example solar and wind power to produce electricity.

It was revealed, that the Dubai Municipality will build a sustainable residential city for Emirate residents, powered by solar energy. The future for Dubai seems bright and eco-friendly as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai ruler and the UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister, was briefed on the new residential project, 'Dubai Smart Sustainable City'. The project will be built close by to the Al Aweer Roundabout in Dubai and accommodate around 160,000 people over a total area of 5660 hectares. The city will be "completely sustainable" according to Dawood Al Hajeri, manager of planning and engineering sector department. It will produce 200 megawatts from solar panels covering the roofs of residential units and other buildings in its area. The city will recycle over 40,000 cubic meters of water, and that it will be fully sustainable and self-supporting in terms of its resources, transport and most importantly its energy. The work on the 'Dubai Smart Sustainable City' will start immediately and is expected to finish by Dubai's expo time of 2020.

Damac Properties, one the Middle East's largest luxury real estate developers, recently announced that every customer will receive a new car on select luxury property units sold during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Customers buying a Damac Properties penthouse during DSF will be given a Lamborghini Aventador roadster with their purchase. Buyers in other select Damac Properties units will receive either a BMW or a Mini Cooper, depending on the size of the unit. "Damac Properties' DSF promotion is always highly anticipated and we see some of the best results of the year during this time," Niall McLoughlin, senior vice-president, Damac Properties said. In 2013, penthouse buyers were offered a 2014 Audi R8, buyers of three-bed units will be given an Audi A8, two bedrooms were given an Audi A6 and one bed got an Audi A4. During the economic crisis Dubai housing prices fall by 50 percent, but now the market recovers quickly. In 2013 house prices in Dubai increased by 20-30 percent. The growth mainly is due to the foreign buyers' activity.

The Emirate is building what is set to become the world's largest man-made lagoon. The 40-hectare lagoon, part of the US$ 7 billion Mohammed bin Rashid City project, will dwarf a 12-hectare lagoon in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, which now holds the title, according to Guinness World Records. The developer Crystal Lagoons has already started work and hopes to finish it in 2020 - the deadline for the whole project. The lagoon has been designed to include wide beaches with a Caribbean feel, and offer swimming and other water sports in clear, filtered water. Its filters will reportedly use only 1 percent of the chemicals that more traditional systems do, and 2 percent of the energy. The lagoon will be at the heart of the District One residential community in Mohammed bin Rashid City. District One, less than 3 kilometers from the Burj Khalifa, will cover more than 445 hectares and comprise freehold land, luxury homes, parklands, waterways and high-end shopping and dining. It is being planned as a low-density development and will feature a public green space larger than London's Hyde Park. Work is being carried out on a show village that will display nine villas and a portion of the lagoon to interested investors. About 80 percent of the show village has been completed and the rest should be finished by next month. Mohammed bin Rashid City District One is poised to become a monumental destination in Dubai, offering a residential development in the heart of the city that is currently unique to the region. The development includes various attractions ranging from parks, man-made beaches and the largest crystal lagoon in the world, to sports fields with cycling tracks, an equestrian club and a shopping and dining promenade.