The U.S. in the U.A.E.

The Public Works Department of the Abu Dhabi Emirate has given the go-ahead for the transformation of Lulu Island, a man-made island off the coast of the United Arab Emirate, into a world-class recreational entertainment, leisure and educational paradise. An international five-firm consortium has been selected to undertake the master planning, design, construction supervision and on-going operations of the entire island.

The firms comprising the design team are EDAW, Inc., a landscape architecture and planning firm and sole U.S. participant; FUB Wenzel & Partners, Germany; Scott Browrigg & Turner, United Kingdom; and Societe Francaise d'Etudes de Realisation et de Gestion, France. According to the Public Works Department, "The complementary skills and international experience of the five member firms will ensure the uniqueness of the project and will expedite the transformation of the Island."

 
The international team will be creating a new proposal that will cater to everyone, including both local and international visitors. Amenities to be considered include marinas, canals, parks and an aquarium, a theme park, cultural and historical museums, a planetarium and a zoo. If all goes as planned, master plan proposals should be ready by the end of the year. With the development of this project, it is expected to provide the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world with new focus and a strong position in the leisure industry. LASN