RAK's Rakeen keeps it clean for man-made island

The project will extend up to 4km into the sea

RELATED ARTICLES: First Al Marjan towers due for 2010 delivery | Al Marjan resort reaches construction landmark | The Gulf's artificial islands

Property developer Rakeen has had an ecological challenge on its hands to complete the majority of the infrastructure work for the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

The company has overseen 80% of the two-phase infrastructure stage for the AED6.6 billion, five-island project, which has included sand pumping and deep sea quarrying to keep the water clear and the marine life untroubled.

“It was hard to imagine that you can create islands out of nothing without destroying the surrounding ecosystem, but we have been able to achieve that and we will remain committed to protect the natural environment,” Yehia Kambris, technical director at Rakeen told CW

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

Kumho Industrial from South Korea was contracted for phase one for Peninsula Island 1 and 2, and have been working on the project since September 2008. Phase 2, consisting of Peninsula Island 3 and 4, was awarded to Italian contractor Rizzani De Eccher and work commenced in November last year.

Rakeen appointed Dredging International to undertake all dredging work for RAK’s first man-made island. The company uses a 3D model of the break-water armour rock design for island No. 3 and 4, which specifies the size, dimensions and location of the individual rock weight and size in the break-water.

“This computer model interfaced with the satellite station, which in turn transmitted the data to the rock installation machines screen showing the machine operator the exact type of rock required for the specified location,” said Kambris.

“This technique is used for the first time in constructing man-made islands in the UAE.”

He added that this was preferable to “hostile dredging”, instead using surface fill with coarse earth material.

The first development to be completed on the island is Rakeen’s mixed-use project Bab Al Bahr, which will be completed by December 2010. Bab Al Bahr is located on the peninsula of the island and is called ‘The Gateway to Island Living’. There will be six residential pyramid-shaped buildings, which are now in the final stages of construction.

“The six residential towers that make up the Bab Al Bahr development are in an advanced stage of construction and will be delivered in Q3 2010,” said Rakeen managing director Ghassan T Youssef last October.

The total project will cover 2.7 million metres² and extend up to four kilometres into the Arabian Gulf.