Arabic

Dr.Ghada Mahmoud Hafez,

Ajman City Waterfront Strategic Plan 

Ajman Municipality &Planning Department has prepared a Strategic Spatial Plan for Ajman City 2030 by the end of the  year 2008 . The most important output of this scheme is the future strategic vision for Ajman City Waterfront. It has a  great influential  role in socio-economic and  urban development - if it is developed properly- Ajman Waterfront is characterized  by its functional and ecological diversity ;it has an open waterfront ,a creek ,an island , a protected natural area  , a marina and a harbor  .Thus enriching experience of dealing with difference and diversity of policies in the Strategic Development Plan .This diversity  is  the challenge that make it worthy to use the available opportunities for  waterfront  development   

Recently , By  the rapid urban growth of Ajman city, there is an extensive demand on distinctive sites on the waterfront for investments of different kinds such as: hotels, residential towers ,resorts, and commercial uses . This extensive demand is threatening the future prosperity of the waterfront .It will isolate the city and the public users away from the sea by cement walls, buildings and fences, it will shrink the land available for recreational  and public realm  activities . That kind of developments will affect the quality of Ajman City Waterfront. Beside the disappearance of Ajman creek behind Ajman industrial free zone out of the visual perception of the city, there is an amazing island of a wonderful location used by some industrial activities in the middle of the creek. it represents the wasted opportunities on the creek of Ajman waterfront.

Therefore it is imperative to initiate such a Strategic Development Plan for Ajman City Waterfront. The development plan aims to provide the requirements and regulatory framework for the future developments on the waterfront, achieve a beautiful unique attractive high quality and sustainable waterfront, connect and integrate the waterfront with the city. It must be a good indicator of imaginative trustful civilized future of Ajman Emirate. These goals are attainable by achieving the following objectives:

1.   Provide a clean ,green ,healthy and sustainable environment and improve the quality of every single site on the waterfront

2.  Strengthen the connectivity between the waterfront and the heritage areas in the city in order to develop functional opportunities and integrate with the city as a part of its urban fabric

3.   Increase the length of the shore line to the maximum extent possible

4.   Establish a network of recreational, distinctive green areas and public  open spaces  along the shore