The first part of Dubai Waterfront's manmade canals was flooded yesterday signalling the beginning of what will become the largest waterfront project in the world on completion.
Engineers working on the project stood on a bund of 100 metres separating the new canal from the Arabian Gulf as seawater was pumped from two jets into four-metre deep channel.
Work on the eight km Palm Cove Canal, which is 80 per cent complete, began in February 2007 and will be the first of four main waterways covering 30km in total.
"This is a momentous occasion for all those involved on the project," said Matt Joyce, Managing Director of the Waterfront, standing at the mouth of the canal.
"It is a magnificent achievement and is the first access points with the whole network being completed at the end of 2009. The flooding of the canals mark the first step in bringing the waterfront community to life."
Palm Cove Canal will be built in four sections with the first section of 1.8km taking two weeks to flood, and the entire section being completed by th year-end.
A total of 4.2million cubic metres of water will be pumped from the Arabian Gulf to fill the entire section.
Eventually the Palm Cove Canal will include five marinas, boardwalks, eight vehicle bridges and two pedestrian bridges.
"It is great to have this section of the canal complete and to give people the vision of what it is going to be like," said Ross Minty, Waterfront General Manager of Canals and Canal Bridges.
The Palm Cove Canal loops around the Madinat Al Arab, Boulevard Park and Canal Districts, which are now under construction.
Developer Nakheel, said it is currently carrying out studies by marine specialists to ensure that breakwaters do not disturb the natural offshore reef system.
"The study will also reveal the best means of utilising the waterway system as a form of transport throughout Waterfront, easing the reliance on the motor vehicle," said a spokesman.
Waterfront is a new city planned from scratch and currently has Dh12billion worth of projects underway.
Construction began in 2002 and the project will cover 1.4bn sqft and be twice the size of Hong Kong Island with an estimated population of 1.5 million. It is set to create 70km of coastline and is located at the foot of the Palm Jebel Ali between Abu Dhabi to the west and the Dubai to its east.
The project will be a mix of commercial districts and industrial areas, with a number of major tourist attractions and leisure amenities.
International urban planners and architects such as Rem Koolhaas are involved in making the city sustainable and plans have been made for Waterfront to have its own metro system connecting to the under construction Dubai Metro. Developers say it will take 25 years to complete.
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