Dubai has drawn up a series of codes for the use of 3D printing in construction, amid forecasts that more and more buildings in the emirate will employ the technology.

The Dubai Municipality has developed “a number of regulatory frameworks, including technique, legislations and codes” for 3D-printed buildings, according to the UAE state news agency WAM.

The news comes after the launch in April of the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’, and the forecast that a quarter of buildings in the emirate will have 3D-printed elements by 2030.

Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, Deputy Director-General of Dubai Municipality and Chairman of Application System of the Construction of Three-Dimensional Printing Technology, said 3D technology will reduce construction time and wastage of building materials.

He added that the introduction of 3D-printing technology will also reduce the number of construction labourers required, allowing them to be re-allocated to other projects.

No specifics of the regulations were given in the WAM report.

Dubai has been making headlines with its ambitions in 3D printing for construction.

The world’s “first 3D-printed office”, which took 17 days to ‘print’ and was installed on site within two days, opened in Dubai last May.

A 3D-printer with automated robotic arm – measuring 20 feet high, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide – was used to print the building.

The pod-like structures, on the grounds of the Emirates Towers office block and hotel, will house the temporary offices of the Dubai Future Foundation, it was reported.