Dubai-based Desert Landscape Company, which is carrying out the external landscape work on Madinat Jumeirah resort Phase II, is bringing to life a design that is expected not only to enhance the project visually and aesthetically, but also to provide a cool relaxing experience for visitors in an arid environment.

Under a contract awarded in May 2003, Desert Landscape has installed the canal rockwork, pathways, roads, irrigation network and soft landscaping, Its sister company, Desert Leisure, has carried out the installation of the swimming pools.  Both companies are members of the Desert Group.
The Madinat Phase II development is a continuation of the highly successful Phase I work at the Mina A’Salam Hotel and the landscape design links both the phases harmoniously through the fullest use of plants and materials.
The landscape architectural planning for this project has been carried out by the US-based EDSA – one of the world’s leading planning, landscape architectural and graphic design firms – under the supervision of Bob Behling.
Elaborating on the design of the landscaping, a company spokesman says: “The fundamental principle behind the planting design has been the development of a more favourable outdoor environment for people by creating adequate shade around the buildings and recreational areas.
“EDSA has been able to ameliorate the climate by creating an overall framework, using trees adapted to the local conditions for providing shade, shelter, and screening. This, in turn, has allowed building a more favourable microclimate in which other, more delicate, ornamental plants may be used.
“The landscaping at the Phase II provides an overall effect of cooler temperatures, light breezes, protection from glare and a reduction in wind-blown sand, leading to a reduction in plant desiccation. The plant growth rate is relatively high, so the plant grouping, spacing and maintenance becomes an important part of the design and maintenance process.
“The character of the space – whether open or enclosed – the shape of the space and its orientation, all determine the effects of heat. This project is unusual in that it is surrounded by water from all sides, either through the Venetian-like canal network or by the sea.
“With additional clever positioning of pools and fountains, the air is directly cooled through evaporation, thereby reducing local temperatures.  In addition, the landscaping also achieves the psychological effect of cooling by association with the sight and sound of water movement and its reflection. The wind is channelled and controlled by the buildings, which also helps reduce the air temperature significantly and provide movement.
“This is a project in which the factors of sea wind in the mornings, desert wind in the afternoons, the heat, the high humidity and glare have all been factors.
‘‘EDSA has considered all these variables in depth and have presented another world-class landscape solution and facility.”
The design and implementation work has been carried out under stringent quality control and the time deadlines set for the project by the developer Mirage Mille.
Desert Landscape Company, formed in 1988, has a well-established history of landscaping projects for upmarket beachside developments to its credit. It has the backing of Desert Group, which is a large horticultural organisation supplying plants, machinery, materials, and the skills required to build landscapes as designed by internationally-renowned landscape architectural practices such as EDSA.
The group possesses all the resources to achieve such prestigious projects within a given time frame, through the supply of the necessary materials, construction methods, cost, limits, maintenance resources and availability of skilled labour, the spokesman adds.