Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council (UPC) has approved Al Wajeha Al Bahria a mixed-use development in the coastal city of Mirfa.

The design of the Mirfa Beach villas along with detailed design for other community facilities in the development is in progress. Construction is due to begin in the first half of 2017.

The UPC is working with Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) and the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority to see the project through to completion. It is the first housing and retail project in Mirfa Beach area of Al Gharbia. Mirfa is one of the seven key settlements that feature in Plan Al Gharbia 2030.

Al Wajeha Al Bahria will help meet the growing housing and community needs of the Al Gharbia region and is considered an important future landmark that will attract people to the area and pave the way for the appropriate development of the Mirfa coastline.

The UPC worked closely with the developer to identify how value could be added to the planning submission. The project will feature a beachfront promenade for walkers and cyclists that will connect Al Wajeha Al Bahria with other planned projects on the Mirfa coastline.

"Al Wajeha Al Bahria is a good example of how the UPC successfully collaborates with developers to ensure the needs of the community are met" said Mohamed Al Khadar executive director urban development and Estidama sector UPC.

"The UPC's urban development and Estidama sector continuously work to add value to urban developments by liaising closely with the developer to enhance their plans. On Al Wajeha Al Bahria a stronger link between the residential part of the development and the natural beachfront and landscaped areas has been created through shaded pathways. We are confident this will accentuate the living experience for residents.

"Given its location adjacent to the future Mirfa Beach these residents will have easy access to one of Al Gharbia's natural assets" he added.

Furthermore the UPC also worked with the Western Region Municipality to implement a road network in and around the Mirfa coastline area to serve Al Wajeha Al Bahria which has paved the way for future development.

To ensure all projects are in line with Vision 2030 the Urban Development and Estidama Sector assess each project in line with the individual framework plan for the region it is located in as well as the UPC's policies to create attractive integrated and sustainable urban developments.

The UPC had recently announced details of the Mirfa Beach - also within the overall Mirfa masterplan - which will feature over 400 villas for Emiratis on a site adjacent to Al Wajeha Al Bahria.

The town of Mirfa has a population of about 29000.

It is a residential and tourist centre that was established in the 1970s under instruction from the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Other proposed projects under Plan Al Gharbia 2030 include a civic centre a maritime centre mosques schools and other community facilities.

Al Gharbia constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the landmass of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and has a population of around 302000.

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