Sustainable Open Public Spaces: Place Making Strategy for the Breakwater "al Kaser", Abu Dhabi

Abstract

The Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 revolves around sustainable development and seeks to raise the standard of living across the Emirate. Parks are one of the important tools to generate Abu Dhabi vision, where it acts as the collection point of all varieties of people. Aware of the important demand of proper Parks, Abu Dhabi Municipality, is seeking to adopt park's facelift to remedy to some weaknesses appearing in a majority of Abu Dhabi parks to raise the quality and the liveability of these open urban spaces. This paper will study a potential sustainable public open space in the country, the case of Abu Dhabi Breakwater (Al Kaser). This space holds a great historical value and has an exceptional location where individuals can enjoy the skyline of the city over the water edge, taking in the picturesque views and cultural fascinations. The aim of this paper is to propose a new framework for developing a vibrant public open space including new and unconventional cultural activities in the area of Abu Dhabi. By presenting a literature review supported by case studies, place making strategies and a site analysis of Al Kaser, the paper reaches a sustainable retrofit conceptual Master Plan proposal of the breakwater. Taking into consideration the social, economic and environmental factors of the proposed design is the key to a sustainable outcome.