Having designed the landscapes of some of the prestigious projects in the UAE, Al Khatib Cracknell (AKC) once again asserts leadership in the fiercely competitive and creative realm of landscape design by bagging the landscape consultancy contract for the new Burj Dubai district.

The deal includes the Tower Park, the Island Park, The Residences, the Old Town Residential Development and the Dubai Mall within the district.
The Burj Dubai site – which will include the world’s tallest tower, most extensive shopping mall and the largest lake fountain – is set to break a plethora of records upon its completion, says a spokeswoman for AKC.
AKC has been appointed to provide the majority of the landscape masterplanning, detail design and supervision for this project. The scope of work to be carried out by AKC includes key open spaces, lake edges, promenade, the Old Town, the lake fountain, various residential areas, and sales centre complexes throughout this four-hectare project.
Significant features of the development include the Island Park, which will comprise a tree fern greenhouse and sculptural bridge; the tower park with its grand water cascades; and the Mall promenade with its panoramic view of the world’s largest musical fountain; and the Boulevard with the plazas of wind, water, fire, and earth.
Established in 1993, Dubai-based AKC is a registered practice with the Dubai Municipality and has an associate company in the UK – Cracknell Ferns Associates (CFA). Started off in 1987, CFA is a member of the British Landscape Institute and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
AKC claims to be the largest Middle East-based landscape architectural practice, offering consultancy services in landscape architecture, environmental planning and
irrigation design. “We provide an integrated landscape design service from initial site masterplanning and concept design, to construction documentation and contract administration for the full range of project types, scopes and budgets,” says the spokeswoman.
The practice, which has established a reputation for creative and practical design solutions for projects throughout the Middle East in a short span of just over a decade, has extensive experience in commercial, leisure/theme parks, hotels/resorts and residential community developments.
“Our emphasis is on design excellence and quality of service, combined with a proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget,” she points out.
The practice’s experience ranges across a wide variety of projects and includes hotels and resorts, parks, highways and infrastructure, residential and commercial developments, public works projects and urban design.
Specialising in leisure and recreation developments, AKC is currently working on projects throughout the region, including Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Oman and UAE, as well as Cyprus and India.
Some of the recently completed high-value projects of the company include:

Dubai Autodrome
AKC was part of a multidisciplinary team that provided landscape masterplanning urban design and landscape services on the 270-hectare Dubai Autodrome for Union Properties.
AKC was involved in the project from concept design through to construction on site where the scope of work included the landscape associated with both the track and business park. Key landscape features for the project included the streetscape, plazas, hospitality area, paddock grandstand and the management and marketing complex.

Dubai Sports City
As lead consultant for the 5 million sq m Dubai Sport City project at Dubailand, AKC has undertaken the concept, schematic and detailed design for the landscape design of the Dubai Sports City development.
The end development, which will operate as a regional centre for sport and recreation, combined with mixed-use development of an international standard, will comprise high-quality residential development, shopping and recreation facilities and waterfront activity for the enjoyment of residents and visitors of Dubai.

Zabeel Park
As prime consultant for the Dh187 million landmark development, AKC provided the extensive landscape design for a series of themed gardens, an Imax cinema complex around a feature lake, an amphitheatre with capacity for 2,000 people, two zones featuring futuristic technology and alternative energy exhibits, an adventure area and sports facilities, a maze and a boating lake.

Dubai Marina masterplan
The Dh30 million project involves the creation of the landscape and irrigation masterplan for Dubai Marina. It includes the development of a park and streetscape hierarchy, design of the main marina promenade, feature parks, terraced parks, local parks, design of streetscapes and plaza spaces over an area of 5.7 million sq m.
Apart from the above, AKC has been associated with several of the leading hotels in the region that include: Jumeirah Beach Resort and Burj Al Arab Tower Hotel, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Jebel Ali Hotel extension, Marriott Hotel extension, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Hotel, Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Hilton Jumeirah Beach Hotel (all in Dubai); Al Thani Hotel, Radisson SAS Hotel (all in Sharjah); Hilton Hotel (Al Ain), Le Meridien Hotel, Residential Resort Complex at Habshan for Adnoc, Sheraton Hotel, Beach Club (Trade Centre) and Al Raha Beach Resort (all in Abu Dhabi); Gulf Hotel and Ritz Carlton Hotel (in Bahrain); Hilton Hotel (Qatar); Messilah Beach Resort (Kuwait); Golden View Hotel, Iberotel Grand Sharm Hotel, Novotel Coral Bay, Intercontinental Hotel, Sheraton Dreamland Hotel (all in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt), El Alamein Resort Hotel (El Alamein, Egypt) Sheraton Dreamland Hotel (Cairo, Egypt), Sheraton Hotel (Taba, Egypt), Sheraton Hotel (Agami, Egypt), Burg Al Arab Tourist Village and Carthage Tourist Village (both in Alexandria, Egypt); among others.
AKC has undertaken the masterplanning and urban design work for the Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Investments Park, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Healthcare City, Jumeirah coastal zone study, Al Mamzar Development, Dhow Wharfage, Dubai Irrigation Study, Knowledge Village, Grand Lakes Residential Community (all in Dubai); Lulu Island and Abu Dhabi irrigation study (both in Abu Dhabi) American University of Sharjah (Sharjah); and the Qatar Education City in Doha, Qatar.
With regard to commercial projects, AKC has been involved with the Dubai International Financial Centre Phase 1, Dubai International Financial Centre Gate Building, Dubai Internet City headquarters building, infrastructure as well as Phase 1A and 1B, Dubai Media City, Dubai Investment Park, BurJuman Extension,  Dubai World Trade Centre – Convention Centre, Emaar Bank, Deira City Centre, Wafi City Shopping Mall extension, Ajman City Centre (Ajman), Adnoc headquarters building (Abu Dhabi), among others
AKC has also been involved with various residential projects in Dubai including: Green Community, Emirates Hills and The Lakes, Street of Dreams and Al Fattan Towers.