United Arab Emirates

Al Raha Gardens is a mixed-use residential, commercial, leisure and retail development in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The vision for the development is that of a medium-sized village community with village-scale streets that afford residents the opportunity to socialize, fostering a sense of community, ownership and pride in their surroundings.

The site extends over 3 kilometres adjacent to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi motorway and neighbouring Al Raha Beach. Phase One consists of 750 residences including villas and town houses. Later phases will also incorporate apartments as well as community services, including three schools, a medical centre, retail, restaurants, supermarkets, offices and convention and exhibition space. There will also be a medium-sized hotel and leisure complex and an equestrian centre, a sports field for polo and other field sports.

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The Al Raha Beach development is a beachfront project being built along the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, opposite Al Raha Gardens.

The USD15 billion development sits on reclaimed land at Al Raha Beach, occupying an area of 6.8 million square metres, with a total built-up area of 12 million square metres. Developed by ALDAR, Al Raha Beach will be a new city district that will serve as the new gateway to Abu Dhabi City and accommodate 120,000 residents in an arrangement of high-rise towers and low-rise developments. It is being built in eleven residential and commercial precincts, each with its own distinct personality and appeal.

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Saadiyat Island is being developed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) as a major international tourism destination.

The 27 square kilometre island will host two of the world’s finest art institutions – the Guggenheim and the Louvre; a number of five-star resorts capitalising on vast white beaches; two golf courses; three marinas with berthing for 1,000 vessels; and numerous boutique hotels and eco-retreats. Saadiyat Island aims to attract the world to Abu Dhabi and take Abu Dhabi to the world.

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GHD provided master planning consultancy services to two of the world’s largest man-made islands, known as The Palm Jumeirah (master plan update) and The Palm Jebel Ali (master plan development and concept design). The Palm Islands are promoted as the ‘Eighth wonder of the world’ and are anticipated to form one of the world’s most prestigious residential communities. GHD and sub consultants PTW and Cox provided the following services for the Palm islands:

The Palm Jebel Ali

• Collation, review and analysis of all data and information
• Reviewing existing land use proposals
• Regional and site analysis
• Constraints and opportunities assessment
• Refining the plans for the proposed water homes (a residential community of homes perched directly above the ocean in an idyllic resort-style setting)
• Refining the existing master plan concept and identifying infrastructure and servicing needs
• Analysis of infrastructure requirements and development of a servicing strategy
• Development of an integrated land use and infrastructure master plan to provide a long-term planning framework for the development of the island
• Reviewing and updating development control regulations

The Palm Jumeirah

• Reviewing the existing master plan, infrastructure designs, project data, development proposals, and land uses to identify increases in building development and infrastructure demand
• Facilities and services demand analysis
• Development of strategies to address issues identified
• Updating the existing master plan
•  Reviewing and updating development control regulations

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