Al Zorah

The Al Zorah project in Ajman was recently announced with the presence of his highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, as the biggest project in the emirates history. When finished, it will stand at 12 square kilometers with 22 million square meters of buildings at a cost of DHS220 billion ( $59.91 billion USD). The project is owned by Zorah real estate development (owned by Ajman government and Solidere International).

The concept

Al Zorah will be located on the northern coastal strip of Ajman, along the Arabian Gulf. Surrounded with a rich wildlife, mangrove forest and kilometres of sandy beaches, Al Zorah will not only be a place for recreation but also a business centre.

The project is currently under development and is scheduled to be finished over a 16 year period. A significant part of the project is devoted to preserving the natural wildlife, and a key aspect is to build an urban area that coexist with the natural surroundings to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Al Zorah will fit up to 160,000 residents and the staff will reach up to 70,000. This will include houses, schools, malls, health centers and a group of 5 star luxury hotels and resorts. The project also includes 5 tourist ports (marina’s).It is also 25 minutes away from Dubai airport and 10 minutes from Sharjah airport via the new road connecting it to emirates road.

Areas

Al Zorah will be divided into quarters, each with its own characteristics and distinct features. These quarters are interconnected via roads and bridges, and are easily accessible.

• City Center

Inspired by the Mediterranean and built around the Central Octagon, the City Center (also know as Balad) serves as the spine of Al Zorah. With its five sectors, it offers residents and tourists everything from shopping malls, restaurants and office buildings to recreational parks and outdoor arenas for major events.

• Parklands

The Parklands is situated next to the City Center and will be a community of hotels and residential resorts. This area will be dedicated for recreational purposes, and the area will mainly be free of vehicles. Between six and eight residential resorts and hotels are envisaged in Parklands, and many of them will be located near the seaside.

• Bay

The bay developments consist of several smaller islands located on the nortern and southern part of Al Zorah. These islands will form three villages known as Corniche Village, Ocean Village and Marina Village. All three will be connected by Corniche Road, and to be developed at a later stage of the Al Zorah-project.

• Inland Mangrove area

The preservation of the mangrove forest is a vital part of the Al Zorah project. This area is built upon the mangrove, and amongst the facilities are a golf resort and mangrove villages. The three clusters that create this area are well connected by canals, walkways and roads.

• Gateway

A dense, high-rise area with a multi-modal transport interchange and streetscape defined by canals and green open spaces. This is the entrance to Al Zorah and is created to give an overview of all the elements that Al Zorah is built upon. From green spaces, the mangrove forest and the beaces, to the urban city center and shopping malls. You can have a glimpse of all of it through the Gateway.

• Parkway

Connecting the Gateway and the City Center, the Parkway holds a wide landscaped boulevard and a dedicated bus route which carries traffic to the City Center. The parkway is a hub connecting the parks and green areas with the urban city itself.

• Institutional park

Providing landscaped canalside sites for schools, universities, libraries and other cultural institutions makes this park the most specialized area of the Parkway. The architecture of this site will be of high quality and the site will be the home of a series of high-quality architectural events.