By the numbers
● The world's largest land reclamation projects are under way in the Gulf in the shape of four Nakheel island developments: the Palms Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and Deira, and The World. Some facts and figures on the man-made islands:
Common features
l Structures:
About 12,000 private homes and more than 10,000 apartments will be built on the three Palm islands, along with 100 luxury hotels, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls and dive sites. The Palms will be accessible by car, boat and perhaps a monorail.
l New shoreline:
Together, the four developments will create some 450 miles of new coastline.
l Method of construction:
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Dredging and spraying sand fill directly onto the seabed. The top 10 feet of land above sea level was built using a dredging technique known as "rainbowing," or spraying sand over the emerging island. Land was then vibro-compacted to control settlement.
l Construction managers:
U.S. giants Hill International and Parsons International. Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock Architects, of Maitland, Fla., is handling concept design.
l Dredging contract:
Dutch firm Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors, and China Railway & Engineering Corp.
The Palm Jumeirah
l Dimensions:
3.5 miles by 3.5 miles.
l Longest land mass:
outer crescent breakwall, 7 miles long.
l Land reclaimed:
130 million cubic yards of sand and rock.
l Property prices:
Homes range from $780,000 to $1.4 million.
l Purpose:
Residential and hotels.
The Palm Jebel Ali:
l Dimensions:
4 miles by 4.5 miles.
l Longest land mass:
Outer crescent breakwall, 10 miles long.
l Land reclaimed:
225 million cubic yards of sand and rock.
l Purpose:
Theme park, residential.
The Palm Deira:
l Dimensions:
9 miles by 5.5 miles.
l Longest land mass:
Outer crescent breakwall, 13 miles long.
l Land reclaimed:
1.3 billion cubic yards of sand and rock.
l Purpose:
Residential, with 7,000 homes and a marina; about 4,500 homes already sold.
The Associated Press Source: Nakheel, company releases
More online
● To view The World's master plan, including a 3.9-acre island representing Arizona (reference F-8), go to www.theworld.ae
