Abu Dhabi master plan project wins prestigious MIPIM award for KEO International Consultants

South of Shamkha, a mega development spread over 4,300 hectares which is envisioned to become a regional focal point for the vibrant growth of Abu Dhabi in the decades to come, was one of 200 entries to the awards, which recognize excellence in un-built future projects.

The Commended award was presented at a formal awards ceremony at the Palm Beach Hotel in Cannes, France.

In attendance were some of the world's most influential design and real estate professionals, who were present to honour the elite MIPIM Architectural Review Award recipients for 2008.

The MIPIM Real Estate Conference and Exhibition is held each March and more than 30,000 visitors attend from around the globe. The MIPIM event serves as a quality showcase for hundreds of new real estate development projects from more than 80 countries.

Accepting the award on behalf of KEO International Consultants, Paul DeVylder, Vice President - International, and master planner of Shamkha, said:

"This honour means a lot to the firm and to me personally as it exemplifies our incredible global growth story. Being recognized by industry professionals is always a gratifying experience. South of Shamkha is an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime, that of planning a completely new city for a municipality, based on the homes and heritage of 10,000 citizen families".

Donna Sultan, CEO of KEO International Consultants, said,

"We are deeply honored to be accepting this, our first award at MIPIM, for our master planning work for the new city of Shamkha in Abu Dhabi. "I must acknowledge His Highness, the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, for being the inspiration for the vision of the South Shamkha Master Plan. I would also like to thank the Abu Dhabi Municipality for providing us with the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue of creating the desired cities of the future. South of Shamkha is just one of many ambitious master plans KEO has been involved with in Abu Dhabi - it is a truly visionary Emirate with exciting plans for the future.

"The new City will someday reach a population of 200,000 and is based on an approach of 'total sustainability in planning.

"The master plan's uniqueness stems from carefully considered planning principles that drove how the future city's structure evolved.

"KEO first identified and agreed to key priorities in creating a sustainable city, one that would offer quality of life for its residents and would provide attractive investment opportunities while remaining culturally relevant."

South of Shamkha will provide more than 10,000 new villas in 43 neighborhoods.

The project is located 50 km south of Abu Dhabi Island and is planned as a series of neighborhoods focused on self-sustaining regional community centers.

The anticipated population that will reside within the new master plan is currently estimated at more than 115,000 new residents and could amount to more than 200,000.

The areas it will serve include Baniyas, Shamkha, New Al Falah, New Al Wathba and other future adjacent developments.

South of Shamkha is designed to provide sustainable living communities with a special emphasis on clean livable space.

The design emphasizes large parks, pedestrian-friendly landscaped recreation areas, shopping and retail, mosques, hospitals, clinics, health clubs, schools, playgrounds and entertainment areas.

A green belt winds its way throughout the master plan to connect various district parks with district centers and ultimately provide a link to the city center and larger central parks.