Abu Dhabi – A colourful pedestrian promenade and attractive spaces for rest and relaxation will be developed alongside one of the prime development projects in the Western Region town of Mirfa.
In a statement on Saturday, the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s urban development authority, the Urban Planning Council (UPC), said the public spaces will be part of the mixed-use Al Wajeha Al Bahria project. As reported by Gulf News in March 2015, the master project includes the construction of 126 apartments and 10 villas over an area spanning 26,935 square metres.
Mirfa is one of seven settlements within the emirate’s Western Region, located about 160km west of the capital city, and it houses nearly 29,000 inhabitants at present. Al Wajeha Al Bahria, which will be situated between the town centre and the beach, will help meet the settlement’s growing housing and community needs.
“This project will also be an added attraction for Mirfa residents and visitors, given its location close to the beach, one of the Western Region’s natural assets,” said Mohammad Al Khadar, executive director for urban development and Estidama (sustainability) at the UPC.
Al Wajeha Al Bahria is expected to fulfil a number of sustainability goals set by the UPC for new projects, including efficient waste management and recycling arrangements, and the use of native plants for providing shade. The UPC will also coordinate with the Western Region Municipality to set up a road network around the Mirfa coastline to serve Al Wajeha Al Bahria, as well as other future developments in the area.
Mirfa was first established as a residential and tourist centre in the 1970s under instructions from the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
In October, the UPC also announced a large project to construct 410 beachfront villas in Mirfa for Emirati families. These will be located close to Al Wajeha Al Bahria, and construction is due to begin in 2017.
Other development projects are also planned for the Western Region, which has a population of nearly 302,000 people at present. These include the 60-villa Bida Al Mutawa Emirati housing project, and the 73-villa Shams Residential initiative, in the town of Madinat Zayed. In addition, Ghayathi will also see the establishment of a vibrant town centre, as well as office, retail and residential space.
