Abu Dhabi to build thousands of homes for Emiratis

Baniyas North development will also include mosques, schools, medical centres and cycle paths

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, launches the Baniyas North residential project on Tuesday. Wam

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, looks over the master plan for Baniyas North at the sales centre on Tuesday. Wam

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, looks over the master plan for Baniyas North at the sales centre on Tuesday. Wam

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, looks over the master plan for Baniyas North at the sales centre on Tuesday. Wam

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, looks over the master plan for Baniyas North at the sales centre on Tuesday. Wam

A residential community for Emiratis in Abu Dhabi is to be built on the orders of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The 3,400-home Baniyas North development will contain 57 kilometres of cycle paths, two dozen mosques, four schools and two medical clinics. It is scheduled to be completed by September 2023.

The estimated 32,500 residents, who will live in five or six-room villas, will also have access to two parks, four community farming areas and 43 community facilities, said state news agency Wam.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, launched the project and awarded the Phase 1 contract, worth Dh3.2 billion, to Modon Properties.

Under Phase 1, Modon – the developer owned by Abu Dhabi's state holding firm ADQ – will build 1,365 homes.

Infrastructure work covering 3,112,375 square metres, or 30 per cent of the total project area, will begin next month.

Phase 1 will include construction of roads, street lighting, water and sewerage, rainwater drainage systems and works to lower groundwater levels. This will also include installing systems for fire services, traffic and electricity control, along with the first villas.

"The Baniyas North project is one of a range of housing projects which Modon is developing, in line with strategy of the Abu Dhabi government," said Abdulla Al Sahi, chairman of Modon, referring to the emirate's aim of improving the quality of life of Emiratis and non-Emirati residents.

"These projects will create residential neighbourhoods that fulfil citizens’ aspirations, by providing a range of neighbourhood facilities and community centres."

The contract for Phase 2 will be awarded within six months.

Baniyas North was designed with a focus on community agriculture and environmental sustainability.

The entire project will cover nine million square metres, and architecture will combine Emirati heritage and modern design.

The area is 30 minutes by road from Abu Dhabi city, with access to the E-11 to Dubai and the E-22 to Al Ain. The development is also connected to the future Riyadh City and Zayed City projects.