The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has approved Al Raha Beach Promenade, one of the key projects that will play a role in shaping the look and feel of the public promenade in Abu Dhabi’s Al Raha Beach East development, comprising 20kms of waterside pathways.

The move is part of an effort to promote a thriving pedestrian experience for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.

The development of the Al Raha Beach East promenade is part of the Al Raha Beach Master Plan, seen as one of the biggest projects that the UPC has reviewed and approved for Aldar Properties.

Al Raha Beach is a mixed-use development consisting of reclaimed land along the coast with a series of canals and islands interlinked by boulevards and promenades to form a unique waterfront community, stretching over 10 kilometres.

The UPC worked collaboratively with Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), the Amwaj residential project developer, to improve their building’s initial design directly adjacent to Al Raha Beach East promenade.

The UPC’s review process recommended outdoor seating along the pedestrian pathway, areas for shops and cafes, easy public access from within the building and below grade parking garage.

Recommendations also included landscaped areas and artistic features, all part of an effort to activate a public realm along the promenade.

The width of the public promenade will encourage the three retail, food and beverage units within Amwaj 2 to provide outdoor seating along the waterfront.

Other design recommendations made by the UPC include the disguising of metal ventilation louvers of the adjacent Amwaj 2 car park, using artistically designed patterns.

As a result, the Amwaj project has been awarded an Estidama 1 Pearl Rating recognising the measures taken to optimise energy and water conservation.

“The Al Raha Beach East promenade is a hugely important public feature that will contribute towards promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for the estimated 60,000 residents, once all 196 buildings within the community have been constructed,” said Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director, Urban Planning & Estidama Sector, UPC.

“Both parties are pleased with the outcome of their fruitful collaboration, and we are both confident that ADNIC’s innovative revisions to their building’s design along the promenade will provide a template for other sub-developers to follow as they plan their canal-side projects, compliment the initial design intent, and partake in creating a thriving and lively waterside community,” he added.

“As one of the leading and reliable insurers in the region, ADNIC is pleased to be one of the first companies that invested in the Al Raha Beach Project. We worked closely with Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and developed Amwaj 1 and Amwaj 2 residential projects which will significantly enhance the infrastructure of the master project,” said Ahmad Idris, CEO of ADNIC.

“Al Raha Beach development is in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision and poised to be one of the key tourist attractions within Abu Dhabi in the next few years. The combined expertise of such high-pedigree entities, including UPC, Aldar and ADNIC, will create a vibrant community of residents and visitors.”

Furthermore, projects in this area include: Al Zeina, Al Muneera, Al Bandar, Amwaj 1 – 2 buildings, and Al Hadeel constructed next to Aldar’s existing Al Bandar project with a total GFA of 57,000 sq. metres on a 10,000 sq. metres plot.

Al Khadar said, “The UPC is very much looking forward to reviewing the designs of the other sub-developers in relation to their buildings and sections of the promenade. It is our desire to create an active boardwalk that inspires pedestrians by incorporating sculptures, art, lighting displays, water features, gazebos, and outdoor cafes into their building designs. The promenade is currently a blank canvas. We encourage creative ideas that will activate the entire area and capture people’s attention with every step they take.”