Top 10 Abu Dhabi projects worth Dh700b

Dubai: More than Dh700 billion ($190 billion) is being budgeted across just the top 10 civil construction projects currently planned or under way in Abu Dhabi, said a statement.

Analysts believe this is the tip of the iceberg as the UAE capital has yet to unveil the major projects that will help it to realise its 2030 vision, which will more than triple the current population.

Many of these projects are being showcased at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, which closes today after extending the show by one day at government request.

Cityscape provided a glimpse of what to expect in the next few years, while officials hinted that the major project rollout will continue in the next few years, in line with Abu Dhabi's Plan 2030.

Mark Goodchild, project manager, Cityscape Abu Dhabi, said: "The sheer scale of these combined projects is remarkable. Little wonder that investors have flocked to Cityscape Abu Dhabi, visitor attendance figures for the first two days of the show exceeded 20,000, which is double the number we recorded last year at the same stage.

"It is worth remembering that it is only the projects that are officially planned or have broken ground that have made it on to the list. After last year's event we estimated that $327 billion worth of projects had been announced. This year's total is sure to be higher."

The list: Mega plans

Some of the details of the top 10 projects were provided by research company Proleads. They are:

- The biggest single project is the new capital city for Abu Dhabi - Khalifa City. Budgeted at $40 billion, the city is to comprise all federal ministries, local government offices and embassies. The development will cover 49 million square metres. The city is expected to be completed by 2030.

- Work has started on the Yas Island Development, a massive $39 billion mixed-use tourist development including residential, hotels, beaches, marinas, retail, golf and equestrian facilities as well as a Ferrari theme park. The island will have a total developed area about one-third the size of Abu Dhabi island.

- Burooj Properties is behind a planned $24 billion mixed-use real estate community project in Abu Dhabi to include 11 residential towers, offices, four hotels and a shopping mall.

- Saadiyat Island is another massive offshore development under way with a budget of more than $22 billion. It includes 19 kilometres of beachfront, 29 hotels, three marinas, 8,000 residential villas and more than 38,000 apartments. The project also includes a museum, concert hall, maritime history centre, three harbours, a park, golf course and sailing club.

- A $22 billion budget has been allocated for the ambitious Masdar City project, billed as the first zero-carbon, zero-waste city. The city will include a university, commercial, residential and eco-friendly industrial areas. It will depend on solar energy. Masdar City will also be car-free. Around the city will be wind and photovoltaic farms.

- Under way is the $13 billion Al Raha Beach Complex, another mixed-use hospitality development involving reclaimed land and will include 50 high-rise and a number of low-rise buildings for approximately 120,000 people. Water-taxis will provide access to Abu Dhabi city centre.

- Abu Dhabi's International Capital Trading is planning a $10 billion mixed use city, tentatively called Ghantoot Green City. The project will comprise commercial centres, hotels, offices, residential areas, warehousing and light industrial areas.

- Al Reem Island development is a $7.8 billion mixed-use community next to the bridge connecting Al Reem Island to Abu Dhabi city. Several 40 and 50 storey towers will form the central business district. The development will include two 80-storey buildings and house approximately 80,000 people.

- With a budget of $6.5 billion, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed City is another new city comprising 374 residential and commercial buildings as well as the associated infrastructure and entertainment facilities. The development is on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway.

- At joint number 10 with budgets of $3 billion each are the Abu Dhabi Light Rail project and the MGM Grand Hotel. The rail project is in the study phase and will involve some 350 kilometres of rail. The MGM Grand project will have two further branded luxury hotels and more than 1,200 rooms. It will also feature a 12,000 seat arena, retail, restaurants, waterfront residences and private yacht berths.