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Water city builds around the flamingos
Far removed from the conceptual, high-rise projects commonly associated with Dubai, The Lagoons development is an effort to return the city to its roots. The project is focused around Creek-side living and is attempting to demonstrate a greater understanding of community requirements with a sympathy for form and structure that is often lacking elsewhere.
Launched in April last year, The Lagoons is a 21 million m2 waterfront project with an estimated total cost of US $17 billion (AED65 billion). Composed of seven landscaped islands, it will feature a total of 447 buildings. In total, just 37% of land is being built on; the remaining area will comprise open spaces, canals, parks and landscaping. The $1.3 billion infrastructure package began in May 2006; this will cover the cost of marine works, bridges, roads, elevated roads and water treatment facilities.
Designed as a one-phase development, the entire project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010. Half of the project will be developed by Sama Dubai while 50% will be sold to third-party investors. Guidelines and specifications will be provided to ensure architectural integrity and homogeneity across the development. When complete, it is estimated that The Lagoons will house approximately 160,000 residents.
Located at the head of the Creek, the project will be bounded to the north by the planned Sixth Crossing bridge (breaking ground is planned for the end of this year), to the east by Nadd Al Hamar Rd, the south by Ras Al Khor Road and the west by the Creek and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (RAKWS).
The proximity to RAKWS - which has been listed as a World Heritage wetland - is a double-edged sword for Sama Dubai. On the one hand, this offers a unique environmental and ecological opportunity, but at the same time, places certain restrictions and guidelines on what can be built. Because of this, the development has had to adhere to strict environmental guidelines. In fact, it was the first development in the UAE to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
This means that contractors or employees working near the sanctuary must adhere to strict protocols, permits and limits. Between 1 October and 31 March no work can be carried out that will produce sedimentation in the canal as it will affect the breeding season of the local wildlife - filtration tanks will be used to ensure no suspended solids are in the water.
Sama Dubai consulted with RAMSAR - an international body that provides the framework for the conservation and use of wetlands and their resources. According to Farhan Faraidooni, executive chairman, Sama Dubai, the EIA process took 18 months. "This was done to international standards. From that stems an environmental management plan. This plan tells us what we can and cannot do. Our main consideration is the quality of interaction with nature. It is pivotal."
Following this, a non-objection certificate had to be obtained from Dubai Municipality, which is in line with the environmental management plan that has been approved and which stems from the EIA. This covers all aspects of construction such as building materials, dewatering, construction methodology and noise generation.
The western part of the site falls into the buffer zone surrounding the wildlife sanctuary and as such is restricted in its development; reduced density housing and reduced building heights will predominate on this ecologically sensitive strip.
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