Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach
Location Abu Dhabi, UAE | Client Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council | Architects Brune Jatsch Partners | Size 4 km | Status In Planning | Tags Parks and Civic Spaces, Public Realm and Infrastructure, Climate Change, Waterfront, Masterplan
MSP worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council to restore the Corniche as a city landmark, and a sustainable model for future generations.
Key challenges addressed in the design process included organising the beach and promenade to provide multiple options for the changing seasons and different times of the day. The new design needed to accommodate a complex mix of uses, including changing rooms, snack bars, restaurants, beach clubs, bike trails, sports areas and children’s play areas, both private and public use. In addition, MSP was asked to visually connect the city and the sea.
The resultant design meanders gently along the four kilometres of beach. As it weaves, the promenade provides multiple spaces for visitors to picnic, sunbath, play and read. Its raised landscape provides excellent views of the city and out to sea, and mitigates the impact of the busy road, reducing its noise and visual impact from beach users. Holiday-makers are drawn to explore along the route, through shaded vantage points where they can enjoy the views, or diverting to beach-side plazas, sports areas and beaches.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach is at the northwest end of Abu Dhabi Island. The project comprises the existing beach and new reclaimed beaches comprising a total of over four kilometres of promenade, park and sandy beach. The project interfaces with the main Corniche road, scenic boulevard, proposed marine transport nodes, Corniche Park and the edge of the city.
The Corniche Beach forms the major landmark as you arrive by plane, providing a prominent foreground to the city skyline. The landscape connects the beach to Corniche Park and creates a unique identity for the city.
