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Jubail Mangrove Park

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

2018 - 2020

BiodiversityGreen SpacesRecreationalTrail

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Project Description

Approach Words: Environment Preservation, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning, Regulatory

Jubail Mangrove Park (JMP) is the first self-contained educational, natural, and leisure park on Jubail Island ⁱ in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.¹ ² ³ The Park blends the natural landscape of mangrove forests, wildlife, and marine life with recreational and public facilities.⁴
The Jubail Mangrove Park project has three main objectives: protecting and preserving the island’s ecosystems and habitats, providing an eco-tourism experience in the capital city,⁵ and raising environmental awareness about the role of ecosystems in preserving the city’s biodiversity.⁶ ⁷

Title: A map illustrating the Location of Jubail Mangrove Park (01) within Jubail Island.

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Title: Trail map with activities at JMP.

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Title: The Wooden Qurum Paths through the Mangrove Forests.

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Title: Visitors kayaking at Jubail Mangrove Park.

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Title: A map illustrating the Location of Jubail Mangrove Park (01) within Jubail Island.

Source: Click Here

Title: Trail map with activities at JMP.

Source: Click Here

Title: The Wooden Qurum Paths through the Mangrove Forests.

Source: Click Here

Title: Visitors kayaking at Jubail Mangrove Park.

Source: Click Here

The project aligns with the ecological vision for Jubail Island envisioned by UAE’s late founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which promotes low-density development that harmonizes with the surrounding natural protected areas.⁸ The park is also part of the UAE’s 100-million-mangroves initiativeⁱⁱ in 2030 and aligns with the UAE’s goal of achieving net zero by 2050.⁹

Covering an area of 19 square kilometers,¹⁰ Jubail Mangrove Park is situated between Saadiyat Island and Yas Island,¹¹ a 22-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport.¹² It comprises about 75 percent of the total mangrove forest areas in the UAE.¹³ The Park features a trail with a boardwalk spanning an area of 1 million square meters, winding through the mangroves.¹⁴ The trail is designed in three loops of 1, 1.6, and 2 kilometers, with a diverging line geometry,¹⁵ including a 250-meter promenade walk and six learning nodes.¹⁶ The trail segments are color-coded as follows:

Orange path (1000 meters): Features a “floating platform” with a net for close marine-life observation, a viewing area called “Power of the Sea” that offers enhanced water access, “Roots of the mangrove” area, dedicated to observing the roots of mangrove trees, two resting nodes, and two viewpoints.¹⁷
Blue path (900 meters): Includes a viewing tower located at the park’s center for a higher viewpoint and two resting nodes.¹⁸
Green path (300 meters): Includes a “Salt Collector” node featuring water collectors at various levels to showcase changing tides and a low-level “Beach Tower” platform where visitors can get their feet wet.¹⁹

The Park also includes public facilities such as a visitor center, kayak jetty dock, and parking space.²⁰

Jubail Mangrove Park attracts locals and tourists,²¹ who can explore the area by kayak or on foot.²² The Park also offers educational and environmental awareness programs on ecological topics,²³ ²⁴ through initiatives such as mangrove plantation,²⁵ habitat restoration,²⁶ and guided walks.²⁷ Other activities include stand-up paddling, yoga, and meditation.²⁸

Environmentally, mangrove habitats are vital to coastal ecosystems, offering habitats for diverse marine life, protecting shorelines from erosion, serving as carbon sinks, and absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, thus contributing to environmental restoration efforts and mitigating climate change.²⁹ ³⁰

Owner/Developer (Public)

UAE Government ⁴³

Owner/Developer

Modon Properties ⁴⁴

Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC)⁴⁵

Consultant/Designer

GHD ⁴⁶

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)⁴⁷

Funder

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)⁴⁸

Contractor/Implementer

CEBRA Architects ⁴⁹

Owner/Developer (Public)

UAE Government ⁴³

Owner/Developer

Modon Properties ⁴⁴

Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC)⁴⁵

Contractor/Implementer

CEBRA Architects ⁴⁹

Funder

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)⁴⁸

Consultant/Designer

GHD ⁴⁶

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)⁴⁷

Jubail Mangrove Park is a public-private collaboration project between the UAE government and Modon Properties, a real estate services provider, and Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC), in consultation with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.³¹ ³²
CEBRA Architects³³ and GHD, an Australian consulting firm specializing in architecture and design, were responsible for all phases of project management, detailed design, and schematic design.³⁴ JMP attracted the attention of influential figures and established strategic partnerships with various organizations and companies.³⁵ These alliances include Etihad Aviation Group, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Marriott International, and the International Free Zone Authority, highlighting their mutual dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable development.³⁶

Implementation of the park began in 2018, and it opened to the public in 2020.³⁷ ³⁸
The park has its own rules, prohibiting swimming and diving activities.³⁹ It opens daily from 7 am, with the last entry at 8 pm, closes at 9 pm,⁴⁰ and offers free parking.⁴¹ Visitors are required to pay an entry fee to access the park.⁴²

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://jubailisland.ae/jubail-mangrove-park/

Endnotes

i The Jubail Island project is a low-rise real estate development, spanning 28 square kilometers located in Jubail Island. More information is available at this link: https://jubailisland.ae/ (Accessed on 12 August 2024).
ii The Mangrove Initiative was launched in 2020 and aims to plant 100 million mangrove trees across Abu Dhabi by 2030 as part of the UAE’s efforts to combat climate change. More information is available at this link: https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/under-the-directives-of-hamdan-bin-zayed-environment-agency-abu-dhabi-accomplishes-planting-44-million-mangroves/ (Accessed on 17 August 2024).

References