After the Palm islands, the Waterfront and the World, Dubai-based Nakheel – which has blazed a trail with these and other iconic, groundbreaking coastal developments in the region – has launched The Universe, which appears to be the next level in its grandiose plans for the emirate.

The project, which is in the initial concept stage, is one of three new developments launched this year by the leading private property developer. The other two developments include Dubai Promenade – reclamation work on which is now nearing completion – and the redevelopment of Port Rashid, which is also in the initial concept stages.

The Universe
Yet another massive development that involves creating man-made islands off the coast of Dubai, The Universe draws its inspiration from the wonders of the solar system, with islands in the shape of the sun, the moon and the planets. The project, which was launched in January, will take shape close to The Palm Jumeirah, inshore from The World.
The Universe will be a flagship development of Nakheel’s recently-launched sustainability initiative Blue Communities, which seeks to fund research and development activity, and promote active engagement with international experts on the issues of sustainable development, construction, management and governance of coastal communities around the world.
 “With The Universe being at its initial concept stage, we will ensure that the design and development of it is guided by the principles of our initiative Blue Communities,” a spokesman for Nakheel tells Gulf Construction. “The design will be governed by our commitment to ensure that water quality meets the highest international standards. Design of the components of the project will provide open sea circulation and prime habitat conditions for marine life.”
“Environmental studies are currently under way. External consultants and our in-house environmental team will be playing a major role in shaping this development. The team includes hydraulic modellers, marine biologists, air and noise consultants, traffic engineers, heritage consultants, waste management experts and water quality experts,” he adds.
Commenting on the project, Nakheel’s executive chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, says: “With the completion of Phase One of The World and the successful progress of the Palm trilogy and Waterfront, we are delighted to announce the concept of The Universe to reveal Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for the new era of waterfront development. Waterfront living is an aspiration for many; a growing number of people from the region and from around the world would prefer to live, work, and entertain in coastal communities and that is why coastal communities are among the fastest growing communities around the globe.
“Dubai has always been a city that looks forward and the planned development of The Universe will satisfy the future demand for further waterfront investment opportunities and development in Dubai. The real estate market is driven by the dynamics of demand and supply – The Universe will be a phased project that will evolve to meet future demand.”
The project, according to the spokesperson, has received excellent response since its announcement. “Demand for waterfront living in Dubai is still phenomenal and Nakheel is catering to this demand. We have certainly seen this since the launch of The Universe which really seems to have caught the imagination of people not only in Dubai but across the world,” he says.
Reclamation work on the project is scheduled to start later this year. The phased development is expected to be completed in 20 years.

Redevelopment of Port Rashid
The redevelopment of Port Rashid centres around plans to preserve and expand the area which has played a central role in Dubai’s development and is aimed at creating a mixed-use urban waterfront which will generate jobs, attract tourism and help drive economic growth in the emirates.
In line with these ambitions, Nakheel has launched plans which involve the expansion of the existing land area through reclamation.
When it officially opened in 1972, Port Rashid – or Mina Rashid – put Dubai firmly on the maritime map as the city’s first deepwater port, radically increasing trade. Given the change in the market, port dynamics, and the rise of Jebel Ali Port (one of the world’s largest ports, and the largest between Rotterdam and Singapore), port operations are now moving from Port Rashid to Jebel Ali Port. The cargo port at Port Rashid is being decommissioned as of August 2008.
Noting the historical significance of the port for the nation, Bin Sulayem said, “Nakheel takes great pride in Dubai’s heritage – as well as in building its future. The redevelopment of Port Rashid will be sympathetic and pay homage to the maritime history that helped shape the success of the emirate. The development will include a maritime museum, and we will ensure that the importance of the site and the people who have worked and lived there since its creation is preserved for future generations.”
It is estimated that with the regeneration and development of Port Rashid, Nakheel will create an urban waterfront development with an approximate resident population of 200,000. The project area is expected to cover approximately 730 hectares, with 500 hectares of this land being reclaimed. Integral to the development will be Port Rashid’s continued operation as the main port in Dubai for tourist and cruise vessels. Most general and non-containerised cargo handling operations are being transferred to Jebel Ali Port as a result of increased customer demand for its state-of the art facilities.
Sustainability again remains a key concern for the company, according to the Nakheel spokesperson. “Nakheel will draw on its unrivalled expertise as a global pioneer in waterfront developments in its work at Port Rashid. In accordance with Nakheel’s sustainability commitment, innovative design and planning will ensure the port is developed responsibly, and any adverse environmental impacts are minimised.”
The project involves huge land reclamation between the port and the Palm Deira Island, according to the company, with the total site area estimated to be 73 million sq ft – the existing area accounts for just 25 per cent of that.
Once build out, it is estimated that the development will comprise of 22 million sq m of commercial, mixed-use and residential development
Phase One plots are anticipated to be ready by late 2009. Reclamation and marine works for the new land area is slated for completion within three to five years.

Dubai Promenade
Meanwhile, dredging and marine contractor Van Oord is close to completing reclamation work on Dubai Promenade, which has involved placing a total of some 750,000 tonnes of rock and dredging some 650,000 cu m of sand. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2008.
Dubai Promenade – a sophisticated waterfront community located between Dubai Marina and the seafront and adjacent to Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) – will create a virtual peninsula along the Dubai shoreline anchored by a spectacular five-star wheel-shaped hotel. Surrounded by the sea, a marina and a natural beach, it will offer panoramic views, idyllic walkways, and feature carefully considered architecture to create a distinctly different residential and commercial environment.
The development places an emphasis on open space and waterfront lifestyle with an expansive promenade opening up the seafront to residents and visitors.
In addition to a selection of commercial and residential towers, cafés, restaurants and retail offerings will span the length of the entire waterfront. Dubai Promenade will have its own marina with more than 60 berths.
Ali Bin Damithan, senior general manager – Dubai Promenade, says: “When masterplanning Dubai Promenade, we were keen to create a feeling of open space, capitalising on the waterfront views. As well as being a premium location for offices and retail, public access to the promenade will provide a unique location for families to stroll and enjoy seafront views.
“Dubai Promenade will also further enhance the emirate’s international profile through its centrepiece wheel-shaped hotel. The hotel’s unprecedented shape and structure will be spectacular and no other skyline in the world offers anything like it.”
According to recent media reports, architectural firm Atkins has been contracted by Nakheel to carry out the designs for the Dubai Promenade.
Atkins has drawn up the masterplan for Dubai Promenade, the concept design for some of the key components of the development including Icon Hotel, the concept and preliminary design for Channel Towers, and the landscape concept design for the development, according to reports.
The firm is also responsible for the detailed design and tendering for infrastructure and preliminary design onwards for landscape architecture as well as for the infrastructure for the entire development. The landscape design, which will be produced by Atkins’ Bahrain-based landscape team, will cover over 100,000 sq m of land.
Van Oord was awarded the dredging contract in April 2004, for the project which entails transforming a fishing port and small marina, into a marine complex capable of serving the increasing boat traffic resulting from the development of Palm Jumeirah.
“Because the port had to remain open while reclamation was under way, Van Oord had to demonstrate considerable flexibility in coordinating its operations with the needs of boat owners and others using the port. Also, since the work took place in shallow waters, Van Oord could deploy only the smaller vessels in its fleet,” says a spokesman for Van Oord.
Van Oord extended the breakwater of the old harbour 200 m into the sea and has constructed a 550 m long quay wall.
On completion, the development will accommodate approximately 10,000 residents in more than 2,000 residential units, will offer over 25,000 sq m of retail space and over 17,000 sq m of office space.
Apart from these projects, Nakheel’s portfolio currently includes The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Deira, The World, Waterfront, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Furjan, International City, Dragon Mart Complex and Dubai Design Centre.
Nakheel’s developments spread across more than two billion sq ft of land, and its projects are projected to be worth $60 billion. Upon completion, its waterfront projects will have added more than 1,000 km of shoreline to Dubai’s coastline.