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Dubai: Master-developer Nakheel on Monday began flooding the first of four waterways in Waterfront, Palm Cove Canal, which will have a capacity of 4.2 million cubic metres of water.
Matt Joyce, Nakheel managing director for Waterfront, described the flooding as a "major milestone" in Waterfront's development.
"When complete, Palm Cove Canal will boast five marinas, miles of boardwalks and an integrated transport system.
"The flooding of the canal marks the first step in bringing this waterfront community to life," he said.
Running parallel to the coastline, Palm Cove Canal will take around two weeks to fill completely. The canal itself is 140 metres wide and eight kilometres long.
Joyce said that all four waterways, including Palm Cove Canal, Waterfront City Harbour Canal, Southern Harbour Canal and a section of the Arabian Canal, will be connected by 2009.
Palm Cove Canal will have eight vehicle bridges and two pedestrian bridges on completion at the end of 2008.
In line with Nakheel's vision of producing sustainable communities, a full study is underway by marine specialists to ensure the breakwaters do not disturb the natural offshore reef.
Waterfront is the world's largest waterfront development and will transform 1.4 billion square feet of desert and sea into a city which will house 1.5 million people.
Waterfront currently makes up around 65 per cent of Nakheel's total landbank.
Measuring 13 kilometres by 7.5 kilometres, it will be twice the size of Hong Kong island and bigger than Manhattan and Beirut.
The development of Waterfront is well underway with 60 per cent of civil engineering, infrastructure and utilities complete in the 700 hectares of Madinat Al Arab.
"There is enough real estate under construction to house 750,000 people," Joyce said.
Waterfront: Major features
- Total area: 14,000 hectares
- Madinat Al Arab: 700 hectares
- Canal district: 240 hectares
- Boulevard Park: 100 hectares
- Quay wall: Spanning 3,350 linear metres
- Five marinas: Covering an area of 82 hectares
- Badra residential area: 1,042 apartments and 146 townhouses
- Veneto residential area: 1,400 villas and townhouses and 1,200 low-rise apartments
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