Al Ittihad Park, on Palm Jumeirah, is a 5.5ha wadi landscape along the ‘spine’ of Dubai’s Palm. Working with a largely inaccessible, ‘redundant’ 45m wide linear space beneath the monorail that runs along the ‘spine’ & between two rows of high rise mixed use buildings, Cracknell proposed a landscape solution to activate the space, providing a valuable amenity for residents & office goers, day & night. With interlinking routes opened up, the park design facilitates healthy lifestyles & community cohesion as well as creating commercial opportunities for local retail.

Now a popular local amenity, the Park contains over 100 species of indigenous trees & plants, a celebration of the UAE’s biodiversity. The tranquil ambiance, accessible fitness amenities, café spill-out & play areas provide residents with a local sanctuary.

Monorail Challenges

Strict safety and security measures were taken into account through the design development and construction to integrate the design with the overhead monorail. Multiple emergency access and evacuation points and minimum offsets had to be accommodated within tree canopy design. Views from the monorail were also considered given their high potential to inform and entice visitors, generating footfall for park-facing f&b and retail.

Creating Healthy Places

The park’s 2.7km long wide jogging track runs around the perimeter, interspersed with 14 exercise stations suitable for different mobility levels. Enhancing thermal comfort and giving potential for year-round use, wide-canopied date palms provide shade, whilst Sesuvium portulacastrum (Sea Purslane) covers the ground beneath. Natural play is prioritised with abundant opportunities for exploration in and around dry wadi channels.

Developing An Appreciation for The Environment

The planting design uses native trees, palms, cacti, succulents, shrubs, and groundcovers that thrive in a harsh desert environment. Adapted to the unique regional conditions, such as salt flats, sandy dunes, rocky hillsides, wadis, or saline marshes, visitors can learn more about their unique evolved features, and regional medicinal uses through planting information boards. This educational resource elevates appreciation for local natural & cultural heritage. Examples include: Phoenix dactylifera (Date palm). Food source & cultural significance. Prosopis cineraria (Ghaf). Food/fodder, timber & shade source. A sign of water in the desert, it is protected by UAE law. Zizyphus spina Christii (Sidr) Nectar source for bees/birds & provides edible fruits. Tecomella undulata (Farfer), Yellow/orange nectar-rich flowers draw in butterflies & birds. Important in soil erosion control.

Inherent Sustainability

Regional plants are inherently ‘water-wise’; their use throughout keeps irrigation needs to a minimum. When required, irrigation is supplied by TSE water via drip lines. Stormwater runoff is managed through ‘dry wadi’ landforms which can contain high volumes of rainfall allowing natural dispersal over time. Aggregates used throughout are locally sourced.

Influential Design

By striking a balance between spatial planning principles, sensitivity to place & community well-being, Al Ittihad Park offers an innovative, low maintenance &and cost-effective solution to Dubai’s urban development challenges. Promoting interaction & accessibility between the residential communities, nearby retail & local transport, the Park influenced regional developers to make a positive difference in how they consider green space.

Project Data

Landscape architecture: Cracknell
Project location: Dubai, UAE
Year completed: 2012
Photo credits: Alessandro Merati / Copyright Cracknell, Copyright Cracknell