• Investor: Aldar Properties PJSC
• Project: 2009
• Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

GeddesKanka's partners, GHM Design and Geddes Architects Group, were asked by the developer Aldar Properties to masterplan a new community in Abu Dhabi containing approximately 4 800 new villas, 3 000 townhouses, 3 300 apartments and a town centre with a major retail and commercial centre. The project was commissioned by the Abu Dhabi City Council, predominantly for the use of UAE Nationals. This project forms part of a wider government initiative to create more social housing for the local population. This new shopping town development includes a 100 000 m² four level shopping and leisure centre. It is fully integrated into the urban fabric of the town, and, when combined with the adjacent office, hotels and residential accommodation, will become the major civic and commercial destination for the new residents of the town to adopt as their own. It was important to the team that the design of the shopping centre be modern and embrace innovative and new technologies while still reflecting Islamic traditions. In addition, a major aim of the design is to help engender a strong sense of community, which, in turn will give it a strong identity.