Abu Dhabi unveils master plan for Hudayriyat Island megaproject

Abu Dhabi on Tuesday unveiled a “pioneering” master plan for Hudayriyat Island, which is primed to transform the vast area into a leading residential and leisure attraction.

The mega project – to be spearheaded by developer Modon Properties – will span more than 51 million square metres, accounting for more than half of Abu Dhabi Island.

The sprawling development has been hailed as a “milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey of innovation and progress” as the capital seeks to bolster its urban expansion plans, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.

“Hudayriyat Island is a pioneering project that is the first of its kind for the city in terms of size and area,” the media office said in a press release.

“The appeal of Hudayriyat Island lies in its distinctive natural environment and prime location.”

It is being driven forward under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

It will feature residential communities, offering panoramic views of Abu Dhabi city and its waterfront, perched on hills up to 50 metres above ground.

The scheme will add 53.5km of coastline to the city's landscape, including 16km of beaches.

The project will also deliver an array of new amenities, with a focus on bringing top-class sporting facilities to the emirate.

These will include Velodrome Abu Dhabi, Surf Abu Dhabi, a wide range of sport, commerce, and leisure amenities, the largest urban park in the emirate, and a 220km-long network of cycle tracks.

Hudayriyat Island has already cemented its status as a popular eco-tourism site, being home to Bab Al Nojoum glamping resort, Marsana Beach, OCR Park, Trail X, Bike Park and 321 Sports, among others.

Jassem Al Zaabi, chairman of both Abu Dhabi's Department of Finance and Modon Properties, said the project is in line with the UAE's lofty ambitions for its future development.

“The Hudayriyat Island development project is a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey of innovation and progress as it embodies the city's futuristic vision for sustainable urban planning, building vibrant communities and developing a diversified economy that boosts the emirate's competitiveness in all fields,” he said.

The large-scale development will include the opening of major sports centres in keeping with the island's burgeoning reputation as the adventure playground of the emirate.

Surf Abu Dhabi

Surf Abu Dhabi, which is set to open by the end of the year, will boast a raft of world-leading offerings.

It is set to be “the biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility in the world”, the media office said.

The visitor attraction will provide the world’s longest ride, biggest barrel and largest man-made wave pool, it added.

It will be aimed at both seasoned surfers and novices alike and it is hoped that it will play host to major international surfing events.

Velodrome Abu Dhabi

Velodrome Abu Dhabi is due to open to the public in 2025 and will feature the region's first Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) category one indoor cycling track, suitable for staging global championships.

It will include a rooftop track, connected to the ground via a 600-metre cycling ramp winding around the outer walls, giving 360-degree views of Hudayriyat and the Abu Dhabi skyline.

The cycling centre of excellence will boost Abu Dhabi's bike-friendly city vision.

Emirate's largest urban park

A new green space will span more than 2.25 million square metres, making it the largest urban park in the emirate.

The nature-centric destination will feature a variety of amenities, including an elevated cycling track, an eco-tourism platform and mangrove walk.

It will also be home to an eco-farm, food and beverage outlets, playgrounds and events valley.

Modon Properties is to focus on construction of key infrastructure for the scheme over the next 18 months.

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

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Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai

Empty Words

By Mario Levrero

(Coffee House Press)

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')

Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”

How to donate

Text the following numbers:

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*numbers work for both Etisalat and du

MATCH INFO

Mumbai Indians 186-6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 183-5 (20 ovs)

Mumbai Indians won by three runs

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

info-box

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Happy Tenant

Started: January 2019

Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana

Based: Dubai

Sector: Technology, real-estate

Initial investment: Dh2.5 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 4,000

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