Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has announced plans to develop a beachfront community for Emirati families that will boast 410 villas along with other retail and recreational facilities at Al Gharbia in the western region of the emirate.

The Mirfa Beach Master Plan, which includes all of the infrastructure and community facilities, will be constructed by Musanada, the official project developer for the community in co-ordination with the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA).

The master plan was handed over by the UPC to Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) for detailed master planning, building design and construction, said a senior official.

On project completion, the residential neighbourhood in Mirfa Beach, which lies on a stretch of coastline 160km west of Abu Dhabi, will be a complete sustainable community offering a wide range of amenities including parks, shops, mosques and a public corniche.

The UPC said the project is being developed in line with the key principles of Plan Al Gharbia 2030, the strategic framework plan that outlines the physical development of the 35,000-sq-km region, remarked Abdulla Al Sahi, the acting executive director (Planning & Infrastructure Sector) at UPC.

Mirfa is one of seven settlements of Al Gharbia included within Plan Al Gharbia 2030, joining Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Delma, Ghayathi, Sila’a and Ruwais.

“It is a significant project for both Al Gharbia, the UPC and its partners for implementation,” he pointed out.

On the villa project, Al Sahi said it will be based on experience gained through the delivery of previous Emirati Housing projects to ensure that it corresponds with the specific needs of UAE national families and is in line with the requirements of the ADHA’s housing manual.

"The design of the villas on the 30 by 36 m plots along with the detailed design for all other community facilities within the development, is in progress and construction is due to begin in the first half of 2017," stated Al Sahi.

A major highlight will be a family beach area and public corniche. Featuring parks and community facilities including a public beach club, this facility will provide easy access to the sea for residents and visitors.

Al Sahi pointed out that due to its beachfront location, comprehensive environmental assessments will be undertaken to ensure the project is in line with the standards of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.

This will include the codes governing construction within coastal habitats to project the natural assets of Mirfa, such as the mangrove forest to the north east of Mirfa beach, he added.

Hamad Al Murar, the acting executive director (Design and Coordination Division) at Musanada, said the masterplan for Mirfa Beach includes an attractive landscape design, infrastructure provisions and various entertainment and recreation facilities and would be built on international standards.

The community facilities planned include mosques, a range of recreational parks and public spaces and five retail plots which will offer shops, cafes and restaurants, with two of these likley to be located by the beachfront, he stated.

These will be linked by a high-quality public realm that incorporates a network of pedestrian-friendly paths and streets, along with integrated transportation options.

The UPC’s Estidama Pearl Rating System will also be followed to ensure that the villas, buildings and the community meet the mandatory sustainability requirements.

As an Abu Dhabi government initiative, all components of the project will be required to achieve a 2 Pearl Estidama Rating.  

“Musanada is keen to professionally pursue leadership and excellence in delivering the project, as part of its contribution to the efforts exerted to realise Abu Dhabi Vision 2030,” observed Al Murar.

Once complete, Mirfa Beach will offer residents and visitors a thriving community boasting a wide range of enjoyable amenities and landscaped open spaces.

With multiple projects under construction across the region, including the Etihad Rail network, Al Gharbia is fast becoming a hub for a diverse number of sectors, including tourism, oil and gas and freight transportation, he added.-TradeArabia News Service