Waterfront developments across the Middle East have set the scene for ambitious, popular projects creating whole new urban communities. Although any development at the water's-edge would, in theory, qualify as 'waterfront', this Middle East-centered trend is particularly concerned with newly-created and re-shaped urban coastlines involving substantial land reclamation as well as 'canalling' water channels inland – thereby creating new waterfronts.
Urban developments involving both these methods have been carried out throughout modern metropolitan history – notably in Washington DC, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Monaco and Gibraltar. Even artificial islands have been created from the sea, as in Kansai Airport in Osaka and Chek Lap Kok - Hong Kong International Airport. But what is attracting world attention to the Middle East, particularly Dubai, is the sheer scale and number of such projects.
Why waterfront?The 'resort-feel' of the tranquil and serene ambiance of water is the ultimate living attribute. And in the context of popular metropolises, waterfront properties - assets that are usually limited, carry with them much urban exclusivity. In the Middle East, it's as if the water component of urban development has challenged the city's creative minds to think beyond the norm– so causing the planners and architects to also go one step further.
Dubai, under the leadership of its current ruler Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has led the waterfront way with its imaginative Palm Islands. This the flagship project for several grand ventures and a cue for other Gulf countries, most of which now have commenced their own grand schemes in the race for attracting international attention and investment.
Waterfront projects across the Middle East
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (construction commenced December '05)
Located north of Jeddah along the Red Sea, this $26.6 billion Integrated Economic Zone was launched last year by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the current Ruler of Saudia Arabia. This SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) initiative being developed by Emaar Properties of UAE, whose other international ventures include those in Morocco, Turkey, Oman, India and Pakistan. The KAEC spreads over 55 Km2 and will boast of 35 Km of 'carved' shoreline. Its various districts include Financial Islands, Millennium Seaport, Industrial District, Educational Zone, Resorts and Residential Areas.
The Pearl, Qatar (under construction)
This $2.5 billion 4 km2 reclaimed island is located 350m offshore from Eastern Qatar near the prestigious Al Qutaifiya Lagoon area of capital Doha. It is being developed primarily by the local United Development Company (UDC) and is proposed to be completed by 2009. With its 30 Km 'new' coastline and 10 distinct themed districts, it is the first development in Qatar to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors.
Durrat Al Bahrain, Bahrain (under construction)
Jointly owned by Kingdom of Bahrain's Government & Kuwait Finance House, this 20 km2 seaside 'resort-city' is being reclaimed off the south-east coast of Bahrain. Masterplanned by WS Atkins, this 13-islands development will include 2,000 villas, 3,000 apartments, hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, marinas and an on-shore golf course.
Bahrain Bay, Bahrain (construction commenced January '06)
Located off the north-east coast of capital Manama, this 1.1 km2 mixed-use project is a $1.5 billion joint venture between CapitaLand (Asia's largest listed property company) and a Bahrain based investment group. Masterplanned by SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill) US, the development boasts will have a Four Seasons Hotel as its centrepiece (see right).
Amwaj Islands, Bahrain (under construction, reclamation almost complete)
This $1.5 billion 2.8 km2 island development is being reclaimed off the north coast of Muharraq Islands of Bahrain. Its developer is Ossis Property Developers.
Two Seas, Bahrain (currently on hold)
An ambitious 11 km2 reclaimed island development costing $3 billion was announced in May '05 by developers Gulf Finance House (GFH) & Dala Development Properties management Co. only to be shelved subsequently. Consultant Scott Wilson is currently working on a scaled-down development.
Blue City, Oman (under construction)
Also known as Al-Madina al-Zarqa, this new city is sprawled over 35 km2 of coast at Al Sawadi, 100 km northwest of Muscat. This $15 billion land-based construction is the initiative of Al Sawadi Investment & Tourism Co. LLC and is focused at tourism and business development of Oman. The development boasts of a coastal frontage of 16 km and is to be carried out in 10 phases over 15 years and will eventually be home to a population of 250,000 and cater for 2 million tourists annually. The $1.9 billion 5.5 sq km Phase One commenced January 2006. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by consultants WS Atkins in close association with Oman's Ministry of Regional Municipalities Environment and Water Resources was carried out.
The Pearl Qatar
Madinet Al Hareer
Durrat al Bahrain
The Wave, Oman (under construction since May 2005)
One of Oman's first grand waterfront initiatives, this $805 million beachfront residential community is a joint venture between the Government of Oman, the National Investment Funds Company and UAE's Majid Al Futtaim Investments. Spreading over 2 km2 and with 7 km of beachfront, it has a golf course, hotels, marinas and varied residential properties.Madinet Al Hareer, Kuwait 'City of Silk' (construction starting September '06)
This recently launched $150 billion city will be set on a 250 km2 site in Subiya, Northern Kuwait, and linked to Kuwait City by a new bridge. The city for 700,000 people will have a 'super-skyscaper' 1 km tall, the 250-storey Mubarak Tower, as its centerpiece. Architects Kuhne and Associates are behind tower and city development.Saadiyat Islands 'Islands of Happiness', Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesThe Middle East's largest single natural island development, 500m northeast of Abu Dhabi city, is set to emerge over the next 12 years. This $27 billion development covering 27 km2 is a flagship project of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and will eventually accommodate 150,000 residents. It will have 30km of water-frontage, 29 hotels, 8,000 villas, 38,000 apartments, three marinas and two golf courses.
Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (proposed)
Saraya Islands, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (proposed)
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaSaadiyat Islands 'Islands of Happiness',Abu Dhabi, UAEMina Al Arab, Ras al Khaimah, UAEBlue City, OmanBahrain Business BayPalm Islands under construction, DubaiDubai WaterfrontThe World, Dubai The Palm Islands, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (land reclamation completed, buildings under construction)
The three Palm Islands taking shape off the coast of Dubai are the three largest man-made islands in the world. The land reclamation of Palm Jumeirah is complete with building construction underway while land reclamation is in progress for the two larger Palms, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. Intended exclusively for luxury developments, these islands will be home to themed hotels, freehold residential villas, shoreline apartments, unique water homes, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, cinemas and diving sites.
The first of the three Palms, the Palm Jumeirah, has 560 Ha of land spanning 5 km X 5 kmwhile creating 78 km of coastline. The island will be the exclusive address for eight themed luxury hotels and some 9,000 villas and apartments. The scheduled three-year construction has also commenced on the driverless monorail, to be engineered by Hitachi Ltd, for Palm Jumeirah. The monorail will shuttle between the gateway station at the Palm Jumeirah 'trunk' and the Atlantis station at the Crescent.
The World, United Arab Emirates (under construction)
A collection of islands off the coast of Dubai, the $1.8 billion development spans 9 km X 6 km and is proposed to be completed by 2008. One of the biggest developers on the Islands, Oqyana, is working to create hotel and private residences on the 19 'southern' islands having the best view of the Dubai skyline.Dubai Waterfront, United Arab Emirates (proposed)
The world's largest waterfront development is proposed on the last remaining undeveloped coast of Dubai.(proposed)The world's largest waterfront development is proposed on the last remaining undeveloped coast of Dubai. The giant crescent arches around the Palm Jebel Ali. The 81 km2 development 35km south-west of downtown Dubai is a conglomeration of islands and canals with more than 250 masterplanned communities. The Dubai Waterfront will create 820 km of new coastline and will be integrated with the man-made 75 km Arabian Canal development. Its new downtown, Madinat Al Arab, will be anchored by the Al Burj tower – to compete with the world's tallest Burj Dubai tower under construction just a few miles away. The development for a population of 700,000 is masterplanned by Gruzen Samton of New York and will come up in the next 10 years.
Inland channel projects in Dubai
The extension of the existing Dubai Creek by 16 km to re-link with the Arabian Gulf is probably the most ambitious 'canalling' project in the region. The creek extension is primarily intended to be the main element of Business Bay, a prime business and residential district being executed simultaneously. With an average width of 130m and mean depth 5m, the waterway will allow pleasure crafts and 'abras' (water taxis) to cruise along it. British consultants Halcrow and contractors Dutco Balfour Beatty Group (DBBG) are behind the 3-phase project, having started off with the first phase of 7 km.
Business Bay, United Arab Emirates (under construction)
Envisioned as the Manhattan of Dubai, the Business Bay covering over 9 km2 is masterplanned as a high-rise business and residential district along the proposed Creek extension. Together with the neighbouring districts of Burj Dubai, Dubai International Financial Center and the Dubai World Trade Center, it will redefine the Dubai's 'city centre'. This initiative by Dubai Properties (under Dubai Holdings) will have more thanr 230 high-rise commercial and residential towers overlooking the creek extension waters.
The Palms and Dubai Waterfront
Dubai Creek extension plans
Dubai Business Bay
Dubai Marina
The Lagoons, Dubai Creek
The Lagoons, Dubai Creek, development site
Dubai Marina, United Arab Emirates (marina completed, buildings under construction)
The world's largest man-made marina, carved out inland, forms the centerpiece of what is now known as 'New Dubai'. Highlighted by the Dubai Marina Towers, the 4.9 km2 residential development is planned to have over 200 high-rise building, including the 40 beach-front towers of Jumeirah Beach Residence. The development extending along 1.7 km of natural coastline will eventually be home to over 25,000 people.
The Lagoons, United Arab Emirates (earth work and dredging underway since April 2006)With an unparalleled location on the Dubai Creek beside the Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve, the proposed 6.5 km2 Lagoons development sprawls over primarily seven islands inter-linked by bridges. Besides having its own CBD, the development will also feature Dubai's first Opera House, a planetarium, museum, art centres and theaters. Dubai Holding's real estate investment and development arm Sama Dubai in joint venture with Tatweer is behind the development. Al Jaddaf Area, United Arab EmiratesA new $13.6 billion 'culture and entertainment' district is underway on the banks of the Dubai Creek opposite the Lagoons. With an urban character based on traditional low to medium rise buildings, this 3.7 km2 mixed-use district will include hotels, boutique restaurants, souks, cultural institutions, schools, academies for art, music, dance and pottery among residential areas.
Dubai waterfront/waterside architectural icons
The super-ambitious urban planning projects in the region have been the context for spectacular and iconic architectural designs. Some of the waterfront icons to emerge are:
Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah Crescent (construction to commence)This Kerzner International's $1.5 billion venture follows its predecessor – Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. The Palm Island 1,539-room hotel is set over 48.5 Ha (120 acres) and will include the region's largest water park and an underwater archeological experience amidst marine life.
Taj Exotica Resort and Spa & Grandeur Residences, Palm Jumeirah Crescent (commenced construction)Being developed by ETA Star and managed by Taj Group, the $327 million hotel-cum-serviced apartment development is inspired by Udaipur and Jaipur palace architecture. Planned to open by early 2009, the development will include a 232-room hotel, 200 fully furnished 1-3-bedroom apartments and 10 serviced 4-bedroom beachfront villas.
Atlantis
New Trump Tower
Burj Dubai
Burj Dubai, tower base
Emerald Palace Kempinski Hotel & Kempinski Palm Jumeirah Residences, Palm Jumeirah Crescent (construction to commence)This boutique development with its imposing Palladian dome spread over 9.3 Ha is being developed by the Emerald Palace Group in association with Kempinski Hotels. It will include 200 - 1, 2, 3 & 4-bedroom apartments and limited sea-facing villas.
Trump International Hotel & Tower, Palm Jumeirah Trunk (construction to commence 2007)Replacing a previous tulip design (inset), this $600 million centerpiece of the Palm Jumeirah by Trump International is a 48-storey mixed-use tower with a 300-room hotel and 360 freehold apartments. This open-core bifurcated tower with twin sail-roofline designed by WS Atkins has a canal and monorail running through it.
Al Burj, Madinet Al Burj District, Palm Jebel Ali development (on drawing board)
This 750m+ skyscraper promising to rival the Burj Dubai tower currently under-construction, is the 'must-watch' for the next generation of waterfront mega-projects of the Palm Jebel Ali and The Waterfront. Designed by I. M. Pei Architects of the US, this mixed-use tower will be the epicentre for the last stretch of Dubai's coastal development.
The way aheadDubai's incredible urban transformation, from a modest maritime trading port to one of the world's must-see cities in a matter of decades, owes much to the drive of its go-ahead leadership. Unwilling to rely on its oil boom, the vision of a thriving service-economy base for world expertise and creativity has lured the world's top companies to this fast growing city. Urban development being the obvious initial realm of growth, the vision encouraged innovation and 'out-of-the-box 'ideas. The artistically shaped offshore islands and carved inland marinas are now very much reality, with evidence of their construction visible across the Gulf.
Grand scale waterfront development is attracting world investment in property developments in a city that previously lacked any appreciable industries or natural resources. Creating new waterfront properties and making them freehold has been the carrot for foreign investors and resident expatriates. The promise of niche waterfront living – a commodity limited by its availability elsewhere in the world – has world property investors so excited that they lap up every new waterfront development, often before the excavators and earthmovers have moved in.
In keeping up with the mind-boggling pace of development, rising cement and steel costs have in turn pushed property costs and rentals even higher – making today's Dubai one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. A older, smallish 2-bed terraced 'villa' with communal garden and pool will rent for around £1,500 a month, with expenses for air-con, water and the usual services adding up to as much as £500 a month. Prices for 'freehold' apartment sales to expatriates are now reaching a par with London or New York.
Lack of sustainability debate?Environmentally speaking, with so much 'reshaping of nature' involved in the creation of waterfronts, there doesn't seem to be as much environment-talk as one would expect in other world cities. With practically every new Gulf development involving new waterfronts, one would normally expect environmental impact assessments and associated public awareness to be the norm. Water circulation and its consistent quality, and effects of developments on natural flora, fauna and marine life should get due prominence.
Occasionally, in Dubai, environmental needs are catered for. Developments such as The Lagoons, located sensitively adjacent to the Dubai Creek's Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve is undergoing Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) following international standards – including ways to protect and enhance the bird and marine life of this large natural reserve.
An urban ideal?With waterfront properties integrating the now-essential element of water into new-age upmarket living, Dubai is also experiencing a conspicuous shortage of community green areas and socio-cultural spaces – the intangible determinant of ‘quality-living’. Dubai Municipality has recently attempted to right the balance by creating several new parks such as Zabeel Park with extensive play facilities for children in the older Bur Dubai area of the city. Yet many critics of the urban waterfront living movement pioneered in Dubai talk of the absent 'human-scale feel' of these developments. Whatever they may lack, however, the lure of waterfront living is currently so great that potential residents are willing to overlook or ignore these negative factors – at least for now.
An urban designer musing on the future will surely have a wishlist of guidelines for the way ahead. Mandatory environmental impact assessments, the increasing employment of energy-conserving technologies and materials, sensitive urban design respecting the needs of children and the elderly, encouraging pedestrian priority and facilitating a conducive physical environment for walking would be tops. These would be followed closely by an increased celebration of the public realm and community interaction spaces, extensive plantation strategies in parallel with development, architectural diversity and visual richness, localised human-scale water features in community spaces.
Focusing public attention, transport and activity on waterfronts has been a great success in many cities, notably Paris and London. The possibility of exploiting large inland water bodies for alternate public and leisure water-transport is very real in Dubai, and during the cooler months, waterside events and festivals inviting community involvement and attracting tourists could greatly add to the city's quality of life. Noticeably, these 'preferables' have been inherent ingredients of successful human conurbations elsewhere.
The author, Rupak Chatterjee, is a practicing architect and urban designer based in Dubai.He can be contacted atrupakchatterjee@hotmail.com
