Work is expected to start soon on a 54 billion dirhams scheme to develop a new city at Al-Raha beach in Abu Dhabi after President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan approved the project on Tuesday, Arab News reported today. The Newspaper quoted the newly set up "Aldar" Real Estate as saying it will immediately start work on the project, which will create an "additional gate for Abu Dhabi City." Aldar Chairman Ahmed Ali Al-Sayegh said the project, to be developed along the Al-Raha Beach, would add important landmarks to the capital's coast. The project will enhance Abu Dhabi's natural wealth of water and beach frontage. "Maximizing the water frontage at Al-Raha beach, the new city will provide a lifestyle destination embracing residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and public amenities," Sayegh said. The project forms an integrated vital front that includes residential, cultural and entertaining facilities. The new city, derived from the designs of cities with vast sea-fronts, extends over an area of 6.8 million square meters along the highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the reclaimed land along Al-Raha Beach. The cost of developing the project is estimated at 54 billion dirhams, while the total built-up area is estimated at 12 million square meters and will include building as tall as 60-storey high to low-rise apartment blocks. The project could house over 120,000 people.
