UNITED ARAB EMIRATES19
Large scale waterfront developments
T
he United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation consisting of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert, but has contrasting landscapes – from the towering red dunes of the Liwa to the rich palm-filled Oasis of Al Ain and from the precipitous Hajjar Mountains to the more fertile stretches of its coastal plains. Although small in size (similar
in area to Scotland), the UAE has become an important player in regional and international affairs. In 1971, the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan unified the small, under-developed states into a federation, which is the only one in the Arab world. With his visionary leadership, oil wealth was used to develop the UAE into one of the world’s most open and
successful economies. In 2004, His Highness Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Ruler of Abu Dhabi) became the President and has since continued to strive towards an ambitious vision for the UAE. The Vice-President and Prime Minister is H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai). Waterfront developments
across the Middle East have set the scene for ambitious building projects, creating whole new urban communities. Although any development alongside a canal, river or sea could technically be described as a waterfront, the trend in the Middle East – epitomised by Dubai in the UAE – has been particularly concerned with changing and re-shaping urban coastlines, which has involved substantial land reclamation, as well as the construction of inland
water channels, thus creating new waterfront opportunities. Under the leadership of its current
ruler, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has led the way with its imaginative Palm Islands. The three Palm Islands off the coast of Dubai are the three largest man- made islands in the world. The Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira are intended exclusively for luxury developments and incorporate marinas, as well as berthing facilities for individual properties. A major contributor to realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: to create a world class destination for living, business and tourism is Nakheel, which continues to deliver and enhance a portfolio of large scale waterfront developments in Dubai across the residential, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. The company’s projects include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira
Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Dragon City, International City, Jebel Ali Gardens and Nad Al Sheba. Together, these span more than 15,000 hectares and currently provide homes for over 270,000 people. Waterfront developments in the
region have benefitted from the contribution of foreign consultants, who have gained their design and technical knowledge in the established marina industries of Europe and the USA. Manufacturers of equipment have also played their part, supplying essential marina infrastructure such as breakwaters and pontoons (Bellingham of America and SF Marina System of Sweden), service pedestals (Maricer of the UK) and boat hoists (Ascom of Italy).
The unique seven-star Burj al Arab Hotel in Dubai is shaped to resemble a sail and inset: the amazing coastline of Dubai is visible from space. DECEMBER 2016 • MARINA EURO-REPORT
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