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Al Fay Park

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

2019 - 2021

BiodiversityGreen SpacesRecreationalUrban Park

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Project Description

Approach Words: Environment Preservation, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Physical Intervention, Planning, Regulatory

Al Fay Park is an innovative urban greening initiative in Abu Dhabi, designed to redefine the integration of nature and urban living in the dense megacities of the Middle East. Located on Al Reem Island, the project was initiated in 2019 and completed by 2021,¹ setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban parks in the region.² ³
With a vision of creating “a thriving ecosystem in the heart of the city, where nature and urban living coexist sustainably”,⁴ the project aims to promote biodiversity, reduce water consumption by 40%, enhance microclimate conditions and foster community engagement with diverse recreational and social spaces.⁵ ⁶

Title: An aerial perspective highlighting the urban design and spatial arrangement of Al Fay Park.

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Title: Park master plan outlining the overall layout and design philosophy of Al Fay Park.

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Title: Strategies implemented to adapt and optimize Al Fay Park's microclimate.

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Title: innovative design elements used for dynamic shading structures in Al Fay Park.

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Title: An aerial perspective highlighting the urban design and spatial arrangement of Al Fay Park.

Source: Click Here

Title: Park master plan outlining the overall layout and design philosophy of Al Fay Park.

Source: Click Here

Title: Strategies implemented to adapt and optimize Al Fay Park's microclimate.

Source: Click Here

Title: innovative design elements used for dynamic shading structures in Al Fay Park.

Source: Click Here

Spanning 27,500 square meters, Al Fay Park integrates nature-based solutions with cutting-edge landscape architecture to create a resilient urban ecosystem. Notable features include:⁷ ⁸

Over 2,000 native trees and shrubs, including UAE’s national Ghaf trees that provide natural shading and improve air quality
Advanced irrigation systems that optimize water efficiency, reducing overall consumption by 40%
Multifunctional sports and recreational facilities, such as basketball courts, climbing walls, and mini golf areas
Innovative shaded canopies inspired by natural forest layers, offering temperature regulation and sun protection
A winding forest track, designed for immersive nature exploration and walking experiences
Eco-sensitive lighting systems that enhance aesthetic appeal while minimizing light pollution
Open-air seating areas and pedestrian pathways to encourage social interaction and outdoor recreation
Strategically placed vegetation to attract pollinators and native bird species, reinforcing biodiversity.⁹

By integrating these components, Al Fay Park functions as both a recreational hub and a sustainable green space, contributing to environmental resilience while improving urban livability.¹⁰ ¹¹

Owner/Developer (Public)

Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport ¹⁸

Consultant/Designer

SLA, Copenhagen ¹⁹

MDT-tex ²⁰

iGuzzini (lighting)²¹

Contractor/Implementer

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities ²²

Transport (DMT)²³

Al Barari ²⁴

Owner/Developer (Public)

Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport ¹⁸

Contractor/Implementer

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities ²²

Transport (DMT)²³

Al Barari ²⁴

Consultant/Designer

SLA, Copenhagen ¹⁹

MDT-tex ²⁰

iGuzzini (lighting)²¹

Al Fay Park exemplifies Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable urban development, offering a model for future city development in the Middle East. It merges ecological sustainability with community-centered design,¹² aligning with the city’s broader goals of promoting healthy, sustainable living.¹³ ¹⁴ By addressing the challenges of water scarcity, urban heat and biodiversity loss, the project sets a new standard for climate-responsive urban landscapes.¹⁵

With its diverse ecosystems, energy-efficient design, and multifunctional public spaces, Al Fay Park demonstrates how nature and urban development can harmoniously coexist, making it a pioneering example of green infrastructure in the region.¹⁶ ¹⁷

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://www.sla.dk/cases/al-fay-park/

Endnotes

N.A.

References

‘Al Fay Park by SLA’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/al-fay-park-by-sla/
Holmes, D. (2021). ‘Al Fay Park, the Middle East’s first urban biodiversity park’. World Landscape Architecture. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/al-fay-park-the-middle-easts-first-urban-biodiversity-park/
‘Al Fay Park by SLA’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/al-fay-park-by-sla/
‘Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Innovation of Al Fay Park’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/mdt-tex-recommendation-the-innovation-of-al-fay-park/
‘Abu Dhabi DMT completes work on Al Reem Island’s Al Fay Park – Construction Week Online’. (2021). . Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/270198-abu-dhabi-dmt-completes-work-on-al-reem-islands-al-fay-park
Holmes, D. (2021). ‘Al Fay Park, the Middle East’s first urban biodiversity park’. World Landscape Architecture. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/al-fay-park-the-middle-easts-first-urban-biodiversity-park/
‘Al Fay Park’. (2021). SLA. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.sla.dk/cases/al-fay-park/
‘Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Innovation of Al Fay Park’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/mdt-tex-recommendation-the-innovation-of-al-fay-park/
‘Al Fay Park by SLA’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/al-fay-park-by-sla/
‘Al Fay Park by SLA’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/al-fay-park-by-sla/
‘Al Fay Park | Abu Dhabi, UAE’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from https://www.iguzzini.com/projects/project-gallery/al-fay-park/
‘Abu Dhabi DMT completes work on Al Reem Island’s Al Fay Park – Construction Week Online’. (2021). . Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/270198-abu-dhabi-dmt-completes-work-on-al-reem-islands-al-fay-park
‘Abu Dhabi DMT completes work on Al Reem Island’s Al Fay Park – Construction Week Online’. (2021). . Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/270198-abu-dhabi-dmt-completes-work-on-al-reem-islands-al-fay-park
‘Al Fay Park by SLA’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/al-fay-park-by-sla/
‘Al Fay Park by SLA’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/al-fay-park-by-sla/
‘Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Innovation of Al Fay Park’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/mdt-tex-recommendation-the-innovation-of-al-fay-park/
‘Abu Dhabi DMT completes work on Al Reem Island’s Al Fay Park – Construction Week Online’. (2021). . Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/270198-abu-dhabi-dmt-completes-work-on-al-reem-islands-al-fay-park
Holmes, D. (2021). ‘Al Fay Park, the Middle East’s first urban biodiversity park’. World Landscape Architecture. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/al-fay-park-the-middle-easts-first-urban-biodiversity-park/
‘Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Innovation of Al Fay Park’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/mdt-tex-recommendation-the-innovation-of-al-fay-park/
‘Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Innovation of Al Fay Park’. (n.d.). Landezine. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://landezine.com/mdt-tex-recommendation-the-innovation-of-al-fay-park/
‘Al Fay Park’. (2021). SLA. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.sla.dk/cases/al-fay-park/
‘Abu Dhabi DMT completes work on Al Reem Island’s Al Fay Park – Construction Week Online’. (2021). . Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/270198-abu-dhabi-dmt-completes-work-on-al-reem-islands-al-fay-park
‘Abu Dhabi DMT completes work on Al Reem Island’s Al Fay Park – Construction Week Online’. (2021). . Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/270198-abu-dhabi-dmt-completes-work-on-al-reem-islands-al-fay-park
Holmes, D. (2021). ‘Al Fay Park, the Middle East’s first urban biodiversity park’. World Landscape Architecture. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/al-fay-park-the-middle-easts-first-urban-biodiversity-park/