Dubai Waterfront update: Nakheel undertakes world's biggest land reclamation project

In terms of size, the development at 14,000 hectares is twice the size of Hong Kong island, yet among the megaprojects currently underway in Dubai, it is one of the lesser known.

A combination of man-made islands and reclaimed mainland close to Abu Dhabi, the Waterfront project joins Nakheel's list of engineering feats that it has tackled.

The developer is already building the three Palms (Jumeriah, Deira and Jebel Ali) and developed The World archipelago of 300 islands off Dubai. Due to their proximity, Waterfront is intrinsically linked to two other projects in Dubai - Palm Jebel Ali and the 70km Arabian Canal.

Waterfront islands

The six islands hook around one side of that Palm, dwarfing that man-made island. In fact, at 2,300 hectares, the Waterfront islands dwarf even the biggest of the three Palms, Deira, being some 300 hectares bigger in size.

'From tip to tip it's about 30km long,' Matt Joyce, MD of the Waterfront for Nakheel.

Land reclamation has begun, with 60% of the first island having already been completed. Other islands are at various stages of reclamation, and work is expected to take another five years. 'We're creating enough land to fill Wembley Stadium [in the UK] three times every month, which equates to 3.5m cubic metres every month,' said Joyce.

They will house around 400,000 people once fully developed, so in comparison to the Palms be low density. Most people will live in the mainland area of Waterfront, which will comprise a number of cities.

An issue with the Palms has been preventing the water from stagnating and beginning to smell. With Waterfront so close to two other man-made developments - the Arabian Canal, which starts in the area, and Palm Jebel Ali, it needs two flushes a day with the tide to prevent stagnation and also for the marine life to thrive.

Joyce said the company has undertaken hydraulic modelling, which is tested over a long period, to ensure the flushing regime does not damage the marine environment. Each island in the development is separated to allow natural flushing to occur.

Waterfront City

Waterfront City is the most recently announced part of the project. It will house 92,000 people and have a working population of around 310,000. It will cover 330 hectares, having a central island surrounded by four neighbouring districts, called Boulevard, Madinat Al Soor, the Resort and the Marina. It is scheduled to be finished in 2018.

Joyce described Waterfront City as the heart of the entire project. 'The masterplan has been designed to cater not only for businesses but for Dubai residents and visitors alike. Each of the five districts making up Waterfront City possess their own individual character.'

Other cities include the 700 hectare Madinat Al Arab, with a planned population of 250,000 once completed in 2015. The company has sold 80% of the land to other developers, keeping the rest for its own development projects.

Boulevard Park is across 100 hectares and will have a population of 300,000 people. The Canal District will have five harbours, take 178 hectares of land and is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Veneto, part of phase three of the project and due for completion in 2012, will have 14,000 villas and 13,000 low rise apartments in 214 hectares of land. One of the biggest projects in its own right within Dubai is Badrah, across 575 hectare in Waterfront. It will house around 14,000 people and is due for completion in 2012.

The company is also developing an area called Omran, which will house 60,000 workers. In 238 hectares of land, and due for completion in 2010, Joyce said by housing labourers so close to their work, it reduces travel time and it aims to improve their living conditions.

Nakheel argues the development will create employment in Dubai even before it is completed. Joyce said for every person employed during its construction, it creates four associated jobs. Once completed, for each person in the area, it will create seven jobs.

With around one million jobs expected to be created in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the new Al-Maktoum Airport, Dubai Industrial City and the Technology Park over the next five years, Joyce said those people need somewhere to live, and all are close to Waterfront.

Joyce said the development is aimed at mixed income levels, because people need to live in the area for it to function for residents. 'We're careful to design product that we know will sell to the middle and lower market, where there is massive demand,' said Joyce. 'We are not building real estate we are building communities for people to live in.'

See also:
Waterfront adds 70km to Dubai's coastline
Modern iconic landmarks in the Middle East
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