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Dubai: Construction at the mixed-use International City real estate development on Emirates Road is entering its most environmentally-sensitive phase.
Project developer Nakheel will soon begin work on the Lake District sector of the development, which includes the preservation of Al Warsan Lake, a man-made wetland inhabited by approximately 180 local and migratory bird species.
Nakheel officials said the area will be turned into a protected sanctuary with an education centre, facilities for bird-watchers and a regulated inflow of fresh water. An undisclosed number of residential units will be built approximately one kilometre from the wetland, the company said.
Other areas of International City include a Central District featuring commercial and retail units and the freehold Residential District, which is divided into 14 architectural styles from various countries and includes 22,235 one bedroom apartments and studio flats. Building work has already been completed on the Dragon Mart retail hub and the entire infrastructure works, the company says.
According to Nakheel, 60 per cent of residential units are set for hand-over by the end of the year, with the remaining commercial and residential units scheduled for completion in summer 2007.
The project is expected to house up to 70,000 residents.
"The completion of infrastructure work eases the construction activity and makes us well positioned to meet our schedule," said Rashid Obaid Al Helli, general manager at International City.
Al Helli said specialists in wetlands and freshwater ecology have formed a project consortium for the Al Warsan Lake stage of the development. The consortium will also include architects, planners and landscape designers.
The wetland pools were formed in the mid-1990s when a series of pits that had been excavated by a construction company as a rock quarry were flooded with excess treated sewage effluent water from the nearby Al Awir Sewage Treatment Plant.
The lakes, which gradually became an important habitat for water birds, were discovered by birdwatchers at the end of 1998 and were originally referred to as Wimpy Pits.
Shaun Lenehan, manager of Nakheel's environmental department, said a low earth ridge will be landscaped around the area to isolate it from interference by fisherman or other real estate development.
"This area is home to around 45 per cent of the bird species in Dubai so it's very important to guarantee its security," he said.
Once completed, Nakheel will focus on building the Forbidden City, a 240,000 square metre replica of the Chinese attraction. It will feature entertainment facilities, shops restaurants and public squares showing Chinese-themed shows.
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