Waterfront Development the world over is seen as the show piece of a city, mirroring the life and rhythm of its people. The Water Front Development project has not only the potential to bring a qualitative transformation and uplift of the Clifton beach but it envisages inflow of huge foreign investment to the country, creation of employment opportunities and a boost to national economy.
The project will also contribute to the economic and social development of Karachi and Pakistan as a whole. The DHA is thus making a concerted effort to give the Karachi beach a face-lift for benefit of the citizens who will soon see a real qualitative change in their concept of relaxation, style and fun.
The assumption of some vested interest that the common man would have no place in the glittering world of five-star hotels, private lagoons, shopping plazas and other urban Montessoris in the envisaged developed beach is contrary to the facts.
The maximum area of the beach front will be open with free access. The development of natural sand beaches of international standards and the construction of amphitheatres, promenades, jogging tracks, children's park, water park and marina jetties, etc, in various zones is not a fantasy but a reality. The common citizen would have ample opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of natural beauty and the bounties of the sea.
The rules and principles of environment protection, coastal conservation and town planning according to stringent national and international standards are in-built components of the project. Moreover, all the project designs are in accordance with contemporary byelaws and standards of the Environmental Protection Agency.
DHA Waterfront Development Project appears as Pakistan's biggest wonder that leads to nation's social and economic prosperity. The "First Multilateral Giant Venture of its Kind" on the golden beach of Karachi, the biggest metropolitan city of Pakistan extends from the windswept Arabian sea coast to the calm waters of Gizri Creek, covering an area of 14 kilometers, lays open a new world of recreation, leisure and business. Strategically designed to perfection, this mega project is planned at par with the world's most advanced and magnificently developed beaches.
The milestone Water Front Development project is aimed to establish an interface between two negating requirements of having the necessary infrastructure and development without disturbing nature. The private dwellings of the residents extend up to the beach which is their private space.
On the other hand the Waterfront itself is a public place and the way it is envisioned to be developed, it will attract a huge number of public. The team members therefore went through day and night sessions of thorough planning to keep the two separate.
The entire waterfront is divided into seven zones that are independent to the extent that each zone is an activity centre in itself. The beach development will have an integrated and comprehensive vehicular traffic management plan. A power generation plan and water management plan has also been developed to support in this regard.
The sanctity of the beach is maintained through the design that caters for the key concerns like security, pollution, sanitation, hygiene, regularisation of street vendors, parking and pedestrian requirements, creation of urban piazzas and squares, adequate lighting and street furniture.
To recapitulate the insight of the project the details of Water Front Zones is enumerated below:
ZONE A:
This is the area spread over 11.8 acres in three phases and located between Sindbad (old Casino) and McDonalds Restaurant. The area will be basically designated for car parking of Water Front Development Complex:
-- Tramway Terminal
-- Car Parking Complex
-- Shopping Mall
Agreement for projects of Zone-A has been finalised with M/s Minhal (Pvt) Ltd.
ZONE B:
This is the area consisting of 48.6 acres from McDonalds to Kinara Restaurant; the habitat is generally low rise with high rise building structures at the extreme Northwest Corner. Main features are:
-- A Monumental Tower 500 to 600 feet high having revolving restaurant and observatory deck on top.
-- Water Park and Water Sports facilities with slides and swimming zones.
-- An offshore amphitheatre with capacity of 6000 people connected through a grand pier with the mainland.
Consultants have been asked to workout financial and technical feasibility.
ZONE C:
Zone-C is spread over 49.4 acres of land. The neighbourhood comprises independent residential units (Darakshan Villas). Keeping in view the privacy of residents, low-lying structures are proposed with multi disciplinary activities. Features of the zone are:
-- Viewers Deck, Parks Promenade and Piazzas.
-- Performance Deck where artists can give live performance to the public.
-- An exclusive Amusement Park on 24 acres of land will provide fun and entertainment for adults and children.
ZONE D:
This zone spread over 3 acres is marked, where the reclamation has been done by DHA and is the proposed extension of Phase-VIII. The main features:
-- A board walk all along the coast having viewers decks, sitting areas, utility structures, kiosks and restaurants at various spots. This will supplement the main promenade running parallel at a higher level.
-- Amphitheatre and Expo Centre Complex with its multi dimensional activities.
-- Promenade and Jogging Track.
-- DHA will undertake development of this Zone.
ZONE E:
Zone-E which occupies 84.88 acres of land will have exciting sports facilities and "high rise living" projects. The waves at this spot are relatively calm even in monsoon season, thereby allowing the visitors to go far into the sea. The main features include Amphitheatre, Resort Complex and Motels.
ZONE F:
Zone F sprawls on 38.30 acres. The entire South East Coast is marked as Zone F. The sea is calm and deep at the shore and the neighbourhood vicinity comprises mainly residential units, whereas the upper most part will be used for construction of Desalination and Power Generation Plant by the DHA. The main features:
-- Water Sports activities such as sports fishing, snorkelling, diving, swimming, yachting, boating, jet skiing and water skiing.
-- Under water Dolphin Park and Aquarium
-- Water Sports Stadium
ZONE G:
Zone-G (100 acres) is one of the most striking Zones on the beach front which has been the focus of much publicised plans.
The area astride Defence Authority Golf Club is to be developed for residential apartments 'Creek City' including:
-- Creek Vistas
-- Creek Terraces
-- Creek View
-- Creek Marina
-- Creek Towers
-- Marina Club
The Waterfront Development Project will come up as prime recreational and leisure activity resort. The project is expected to be a catalyst not only for promoting tourism but also for stimulating commerce and trade activities. The project has been planned by a leading architectural and consultancy firm M/s Shakeel Haider and Co which is undertaking the structural designing of waterfront planning, beach development, resort and tourism community. Waterfront will be an embodiment of engineering excellence. Designing excellence, technical soundness and financial viability are the cornerstone of the project.
The Waterfront Developments would enhance DHA's image as pioneers in beach development in Pakistan. With all these gigantic plans transforming into reality, Karachi will become a more interesting place than it is today.
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