Abu Dhabi knocks down hundreds of ageing buildings in regeneration drive

Abandoned buildings and run-down structures were removed as part of efforts to enhance the look of the capital

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  Four unfinished towers in Mina Zayed Plaza pictured just before the detonation at 8am on Friday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

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  Hundreds of explosive charges are detonated inside the structures

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  The buildings collapse in a controlled operation sending debris into a cordoned off port area

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  Work on the towers began in 2007 but stalled in the 2009 financial crisis and have stood empty for the past decade

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  The three smaller towers topple followed by the taller fourth

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  In total 144 floors between the four towers were brought down

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  Dust and debris cascades into the surrounding streets, which were cleared by police on Thursday

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  Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district

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  Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district

Abu Dhabi's authorities knocked down hundreds of buildings this year as part of a major drive to protect the image of the capital.

Abu Dhabi Municipality said 38 abandoned buildings and 224 other structures were taken down.

The wide-ranging scheme covered all corners of the emirate, including Mussaffah, Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra, Al Wathba and Al Shahama.

Last month, the unfinished Mina Plaza towers were demolished to make way for a regeneration of the Mina Zayed port area.

Six thousand kilograms of explosives and 18,000 individually programmed detonators were used to blow up the towers in just 10 seconds.

The city's planners have a better and bolder vision for the new site, which will transform the district into a bustling market, entertainment and shopping destination.

"The projects aimed to curb eyesores in the city, and to protect Abu Dhabi's clean and healthy atmosphere," the municipality said.

The project involved removing a number of "random, unorganised" mosques, based on a request from the Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

In recent years, run-down apartment buildings in the city's Tourist Club district have been pulled down to make way for more modern housing and commercial space.

A residential building is knocked down in the city. Courtesy: ADM.