More than four hundred villas are planned for Emiratis in a beachfront community development in Al Gharbia, the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

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

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was responsible for master planning the project in line with the key principles of Plan Al Gharbia 2030, the strategic framework plan that outlines the physical development of the approximately 35,000km2region.

The Mirfa Beach Master Plan, which includes 410 Emirati villas and all of the infrastructure and community facilities, will be constructed by Musanada, who are the official project developer for the community, working in coordination 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.

The villa design 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 30 metre by 36 metre plots for the villas, 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. The UPC is working with Musanada and the ADHA to see the project through to completion.

The community has been tailored to the needs of the residents of Mirfa. Through extensive research and consultation with stakeholders, the master plan has been devised to ensure the development of a complete community that is safe, walkable, attractive and sustainable. The UPC's suite of "Complete Sustainable Communities" manuals and regulations, including the Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual, Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual and Abu Dhabi Utility Corridors Design Manual have played a significant role in the master plan design.

Furthermore, the use of the Abu Dhabi Community Facility Planning Standards and Abu Dhabi Mosque Development Regulations have specified the type, number and specification of the facilities to be incorporated into the community.

Community facilities will 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 planned to be located by the beachfront. The facilities will be linked by a high-quality public realm that incorporates a network of pedestrian-friendly paths and streets, along with integrated transportation options.

Mirfa Beach is a significant project for both Al Gharbia, the UPC and its partners for implementation, said Abdulla Al Sahi, Acting Executive Director, Planning & Infrastructure Sector, UPC.

The concept of a self-sufficient community is in line with the UPC's Complete Sustainable Communities Initiative, which aims to develop high-quality communities across the Emirate.

“Mirfa Beach is an important step in the progress of Plan Al Gharbia 2030 and the future of the region as a whole. It is also an example of the strong working partnership between various organisations to improve the quality of life for Al Gharbia's residents, in line with their needs and expectations, he added.

One of the highlights of Mirfa 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.

Due to its beachfront location, comprehensive environmental assessments will be undertaken as part of the detailed design stage to ensure the project is in line with the standards of the Environment Agency – AAbu 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.

The UPC's Estidama Pearl Rating System will also be followed to ensure that the villas, buildings and the community itself meet the Emirate's mandatory sustainability requirements. As an Abu Dhabi Government project, all components of the project will be required to achieve a 2 Pearl Estidama Rating. 

The collaboration between the UPC, Musanada and the ADHA is seen as a model for cross-agency project management between public entities to achieve the Emirate's long-term developmental goals.

The Master Plan for Mirfa Beach in Al Gharbia will include an attractive landscape design, infrastructure provisions and various entertainment and recreation facilities. The project will maintain international standards, said Eng. Hamad Al Murar, Acting Executive Director, Design and Coordination Division, Musanada.

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 and its commitment to implement the directions of the Government of Abu Dhabi in relation to enhancing the economic development of the UAE,  Al Murar added.

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

Mirfa is one of seven settlements of Al Gharbia included within Plan Al Gharbia 2030, joining Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Delma, Ghayathi, Silaa and Ruwais. With multiple projects under construction across the region, including the highly anticipated Etihad Rail line, Al Gharbia is fast becoming a hub for a diverse number of sectors, including tourism, oil and gas and freight transportation. 

The town of Mirfa has a population of about 29,000 people. It is a residential and tourist centre that was established in the 1970s under instruction from His Highness Sheikh Zayed. Other proposed projects there under Plan Al Gharbia 2030 include a civic centre, a maritime centre, mosques, schools, and other community facilities.

Al Gharbia constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the landmass of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and has a population of around 302,000, of which approximately 30,000 are UAE Nationals.

Plan Al Gharbia 2030 was designed to provide a framework for the region to achieve managed and responsible growth, without sacrificing its cultural and historical significance for future generations. The plan highlights environmental respect, social health, cultural identity and economic development as key aims.

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