Abu Dhabi clears African Safari project in Al Ain

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has approved plans for new tourist attractions in Al Ain including an African safari, botanical garden and new waterfront developments.

World Desert Oasis is among 76 new projects and master plans approved by the council in 2014 and will enhance Al Ain’s appeal as a tourist destination.

A project within the Zoo and Aquarium Public Institution of Al Ain (Zapia), it will be one of the many zones that make up Zapia Park.  Visitors will be able to explore communal areas including an oasis garden, a botanical garden, a children’s discovery area and an African World Desert.

The UPC has also approved a master plan for the use of industrial land surrounding Al Ain International Airport, with a focus on the aerospace industry.

In the Al Ain residential sector, the Wahat Al Zaweya Master Plan for a residential and commercial development was given the go-ahead, as well as the Al Ghaniema development, which will consist of 275 villas for UAE Nationals as part of the Abu Dhabi National Housing Programme.

Aldar Properties’ Al Shabahat development (for sale to UAE Nationals) was also approved.

Several developments in Al Gharbia (the Western Region of Abu Dhabi) that aim to improve the lifestyle of the existing communities also got the nod.

These include Phase 1 of the Al Wajeha Al Bahria Project Plan, the first mixed-use waterfront development in Mirfa City, which consists of four buildings (retail and residential) with 126 apartments and 10 villas.

Al Hai Al Tejari project, a mixed-use development at the centre of Ghayathi City, located on the main road that connects the major settlements of Al Gharbia, was also approved. It will include a town centre, office and retail space, residential apartments and a cinema.

For UAE Nationals (as part of the Abu Dhabi National Housing Programme), the Bida Al Mutawa development in Al Gharbia will provide 60 villas, a community centre, park and mosque.

In the Capital Region of Abu Dhabi, the concept plan for Al Maryah Central (formerly known as Sowwah Central) was approved. Al Maryah Central will be a shopping, dining and family entertainment destination at the heart of Al Maryah Island. Linked to The Galleria Mall, it will house international department stores.

Farglory’s EW11 (Maryah Plaza) luxury development on Al Maryah Island was approved and construction is expected to commence in the “near future”, the statement said.

On Al Reem Island, the Al Qurm View residential project, a low-rise building overlooking the Mangroves in Shams Abu Dhabi, was given the go-ahead. The building, to be constructed from natural materials, will comprise 36 apartments spread over eight levels with ground-floor recreation facilities.

Mangrove Residence will be an eight-storey residential tower located within the Shams district of Al Reem Island. Apartments will feature wide, shaded balconies, direct access to the beach and an open sea lounge facing the mangroves on the ground floor.

The M Tower development on Al Reem Island, a 29-storey residential tower comprising a mix of apartments, residents’ amenities and retail outlets was also approved.

On Saadiyat Island, Phase 1 of TDIC’s Mamsha Al Saadiyat development was given the go-ahead and will sit within the northern part of Saadiyat Cultural District directly east of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The development will be for residential use, with café and restaurant options along the waterfront.

On the other side of Abu Dhabi Island, in the Al Bateen area, the master plan for Nareel Island, an exclusive development by Aldar Properties consisting of 148 plots, was approved.

In the recreation sector, the UPC approved a detailed project plan for the further development of the Yas Beach Club on Yas Island. Located on the beachfront between the Yas Hotels and Yas South, the new club will be split into two, with the left side set to become a high-end beach club offering restaurants, VIP cabanas, a lap pool and infinity pool.

Other projects approved in 2014 include Aldar’s Al Raha Beach East (the first phase of the overall Al Raha Beach development), further development of the Petroleum Institute on the Abu Dhabi Mainland, a project plan for the new secondary technical school in Al Ain and a detailed project plan for an extension to Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, which will include Abu Dhabi’s first medical school. Both projects were developed by Elite Design and Engineering Consultancy and are under execution by Z General Contracting.

Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director, Urban Development & Estidama Sector, UPC, said: “These approved projects bring us closer to achieving the goals of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and are very exciting for residents and tourists alike, as we look to develop and showcase Abu Dhabi Emirate not only as a great place to visit, but an attractive place to live.

“Of course, we are very careful and deliberate in our evaluation of all project proposals; each one must adhere to our regulations and guidelines and take into account environmental, economic, social and cultural factors, thereby ensuring that every new development is in line with Vision 2030.”

Since 2008, the UPC’s Urban Development team has delivered 428 projects and master plans. In addition to those outlined above, these projects and master plans include Zayed University (Zayed City), Al Maryah Island, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat Island), Abu Dhabi World Trade Centre and Yas Waterworld, among many others.

Since the Estidama programme was launched four years ago, a total of 11,890 villas and 790 buildings have been awarded a Pearl Rating.  As of February 2015, 1,942 villas were awarded a 1 Pearl Rating, 9,354 villas 2 Pearls, and 594 villas were awarded a 3 Pearl Rating.  Of the buildings, 348 were awarded a 1 Pearl Rating, 407 buildings 2 Pearls, 32 buildings 3 Pearls, two buildings 4 Pearls, and one building was awarded a 5 Pearl Rating.

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