Key Takeaways
- Zaha Hadid Architects unveiled the masterplan for Khalid Bin Sultan City, a sustainable urban development in Sharjah.
- The city features smart infrastructure, a zero-waste model, and a focus on community well-being with walkable neighborhoods.
Sustainable Vision in Sharjah
Zaha Hadid Architects has launched the masterplan for Khalid Bin Sultan City, furthering Sharjah’s urban development and continuing its collaboration with BEEAH Group. Initially commissioned in 2013 for BEEAH’s headquarters, the completed building achieved LEED Platinum certification, establishing a regional benchmark for sustainable architecture.
Khalid Bin Sultan City aims to scale this environmental vision, occupying a 1.5-kilometer area and featuring a centrally shaded two-kilometer green spine. This marks BEEAH’s first venture into real estate, embodying its commitment to sustainability on a city-wide scale. The development aims to be a zero-waste city, integrating LEED-standard net-zero ready infrastructure, AI systems for urban optimization, and a design ethos that emphasizes smart living.
The masterplan consists of seven walkable neighborhoods, public plazas, and a cultural business district. It pays tribute to the late Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, an influential designer who shaped Sharjah’s architectural identity. The city promotes a harmonious coexistence of people, nature, and technology through features like shaded colonnades and tree-lined pathways that adapt to the desert climate.
Central to the development is a linear park featuring running trails, wellness courtyards, and sculpture gardens aimed at reducing ground temperatures and encouraging year-round outdoor activities. Each residential cluster is designed around a plaza within a five-minute walk, fostering community interaction through amenities such as children’s hubs, sports facilities, cafes, and healthcare clinics.
Khalid Bin Sultan City will offer 1,500 freehold residential units, including villas, townhouses, and apartments, blending sustainability with Zaha Hadid’s distinctive design language. It caters to buyers from all nationalities, ensuring modern living is deeply rooted in the local environment.
Additionally, the project includes a design and business district intended to fuel Sharjah’s creative economy. This area will host incubator spaces, civic venues, and various cultural programs to promote local entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange. Public art installations and a dedicated cultural center will enrich the urban landscape, creating a space for education, heritage, and the arts.
The masterplan stands out as one of the UAE’s pioneering net-zero-ready projects, incorporating smart infrastructure powered by renewable energy and an efficient, AI-driven service model. Residents will benefit from a digitally connected environment, decentralized identities, and integrated mobility while enjoying passive cooling strategies and native vegetation throughout the city.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.
