Integrated UrbanIsm–mega Coastal developments

Infrastructure & Property Development MEA Summit

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Loay Ghazaleh – B. Sc. Civil Eng. , MBA

May 2010 , Dubai

At the Onset, Some General Concepts

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Sea ports, Marinas and Fishing HarboursPiers and DocksBeaches & GroynesShoreline ProtectionCoastal Navigation , WaterwaysRoads (Corniche Roads) and RailwaysUtilitiesRecreational FacilitiesResidential DevelopmentCommercial , Light Industrial DevelopmentSand Mining, Borrow AreasStorm Water & Effluent DisposalArchaeological & Historic SitesNatural Environment

InteraCtIng dIsCIplInes to Integrate mUltIple Uses sUCh as:

The beauty and tranquility of living along water is something that appeals to many since beginning of time. It is an indicator of the social stature.

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Interacting Themes In Coastal Developments

Structural Plans / Regulations

Zoning / Mix Use Options

Public Transportation /

Connectivity

Coastal Planning / Architecture

Green ConceptsInfrastructure

Design / Value Engineering

Traffic / Internal Circulation

Facility Management

Environment Protection

Sustainable Water Front

Development

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Sustainability Principles

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The objective is to utilize resource patterns that meet short and long terms needs leading to:

Sustainability is a progressive process and a more holistic approach to ensure conservation and

protection by seeking solutions thru seamless integration of activities

that minimizes material & energy resource use and

consumption, whilst maximizing the well-being of occupants, contributing

positively to society and recognizes, protects and

enhances the ecology, through re-

thinking standards and effective management.

Economic prosperitySocial developmentEnvironmental protection

Coastal Development In GCC

Reclamation =

Tidal High Water

+ Extreme storm surge

+ Wave setup

+ Clearance for global SLR

+ Safety clearance6

Dubai Municipality has set up a website “Dubai Coastal Zone Monitoring” for online information including real-time hydrographic data.

In Bahrain reclamation level database was created in conjunction with Dredging and Marine Construction Manual

Storm Events

Surge events

Astronomical Tide events

Revetments , Quay Walls & Structures In Use

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ACCROPODESArtificial Reefs

The Functional Guidelines• Start right, engage all principle disciplines• Grouping of structures: Towards Sea• Improve accessibility/safety by proper junction spacing• Create both -Public & Private Beaches• Create Buffer Zone Promenade/ Cornish Pedestrian Walkway• Achieve a Win-Win situation between Public and Private Demands• Avoid intensive high development on waterfront (massive)• Avoid blocked Views, locate low rise development on water front• Allow for road reserve & parking• Allow for recreational activity for public• Landscape green buffer, large taller trees to frame up the view• Provide shaded walkways , colonnades utilizing breezes and hear protection.

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Also Consider What You Control • Project Development Code Regulations –Zoning Authorities.• Project Infrastructure• Project wise population and traffic• Building Regulations• Renewable / Alternative Energy sources , Controlling Potable Water Use• Recycling resources particularly sewage and solid waste• Energy Monitoring & Control• Construction Materials & Waste• The Built Environment, the Marine Environment• Building Management Systems• Locations of heat rejection sources

Before We Discuss Coastal Development Integration, Always Consider;

Major Coastal Development Projects in Bahrain

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Major Coastal Development Projects in Bahrain

Value Engineering - reflected in the economic use of rock resulting in the use of 15 Different grades of armor and under layer rock; reclamation level reduction by halfMaster Planning - Too many Islands & Large number of bridges lead to reduced functionality and high maintenance costs.

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Major Coastal Development Projects in Bahrain

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Major Coastal Development Projects in Bahrain

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Major Coastal Development Projects in Bahrain

• Planning for accessibility. Avoid - Single Access to Development for: Day to day transport demand & evacuation. Comprehensive hydrodynamic model for whole marine region

• Transport planning for fully-developed future scenario

• Follow phenomena that are proven to function by nature

• Preventing erosion and alongshore drift

• Utilities – water, electrical and sewerage handling and disposal

• Marina/dock operations , Fuel/chemical storage and handling

• Dredging Turbidity Controls

• Avoid release of fine sediments during construction.

• Artificial Beaches are feasible where near shore slopes are gentle and depths relatively shallow.

• The beach shall be stable, provide wave exposure where possible bounded by headland structures, outfall jetties or breakwaters to minimize sand losses.

• Protective / Stabilizing structures , Breakwaters must not generate dangerous rip currents

• Good quality sand fills for construction of the artificial beach

• Good bathing water quality (clear and clean water) and aesthetically pleasing

• They have one or more connections to the sea, tidal inlets.

• The inlets shall be stable and open at all times of the year

• Optimize interior waterway design Adoption of a river-like canal structure for adequate flushing by tide The Canals increase in size downstream mimicking a natural river configuration.

• Good flushing conditions which contribute to maintaining a good water quality

• controlled discharge/seepage of pollutants (storm water, brine, cooling water, pesticides and nutrients)

• Environmental impacts are cumulative14

Coastal Planning Best Practices

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Urban Planning Best Practices

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Urban Planning Best Practices

Marine Issues - Use Modeling To Maintain Water Quality Beaches stabilization thru

• Hydrodynamic & Water Quality Modeling• Simulate Circulation ,Natural Tides ,water currents and Flushing• Simulate Response to Pollutant Loads & Identify extent of Human impacts, irrigation and discharge management

EBS (Environmental Baseline Study) and EIA are needed to identify preserve and integrate marine life and habitat

Reclamation Improvements

• Re-distribute land masses (Reclamation Ratio Indicator = number of cubic meters of sand for each square meter of surface area)

• Shaping of the land masses• Water circulation• Edge structures• Function and operation of the development elements• Development opportunities

Environmental Benefits to Investigations;

• Identification of suitable borrows areas from recent seismic survey data.• Identification of least-environmentally sensitive areas for reclamation projects• Conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to enable the formulation of• remediation measures; i.e. artificial coral reefs,• Strike a balance between benefits of reclamation and impact on environment.• A Monitoring Unit will oversee construction to ensure that the conditions stipulated in the EIA are implemented.• Address the problem of silt formation employing water boxes, silt screens, etc.• Adopt best methods of dredging & reclamation to prevent damage to marine life.• Preserve fishing grounds to promote marine life growth.• Provide land for development and housing without compromising the ecology. 17

Coastal Planning Best Practices - Marine / Coastal Reclamation

An important component of the natural vegetation resources of coastal zones.

• Protect existing sea grass beds.• Planting new mangroves:• Protect and regenerate eco-systems• Mitigate or even surpass the adverse effects of reclamation

Environmental Impacts - long-term / permanent and irreversible

• Direct habitat loss (dredging / reclamation), followed by changes in substrate and bathymetry possibly preventing re-colonization

• Indirect impacts from water quality deterioration• Indirect impacts from changes in hydrodynamic regime• Indirect impacts from noise / general disturbance• Dredging / reclamation remove benthic habitats through excavation and burial • Dredged areas, due to the changed bathymetry and substrate, are not always conducive to re-

colonization by the same marine organisms• Steep sides to dredged channels and fixed structures relatively quickly attract a diverse fouling

community that will include a variety of sponges, ascidians, bivalves, and fish

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Coastal Planning Best Practices - Habitat & Environmental Issues

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Finally, Pitfall Areas

•Maintain project link to the corporate policy at all times.•Base Project Planning on sound financial / engineering principles!•Build best value /balanced project team and allow ideas at every level•Plan the use / function and quality at the lowest life-cycle Cost•In depth examination of the local context & value / market drivers.•Involve the Architect / PM with the business plan, services cost sharing•Adopt best practices in mix use Urban Planning , avoid GFA maximization•Early stakeholders engagement, especially the Government / Regulators•Early intervention and assessment of sustainability & efficiencies •Keep the Project interesting, financially feasible, build-able, phase-able!•Consider LEED, STAR, ESTIDAMA! & Watch for the Environment•Apply Value Engineering throughout the project various stages •Plan for just in time infrastructure , facility management, utility connections

Poor Project Strategy - Planning &

Development

Iconic / Political Driven Urban

Planning Practices

Sustainability Not Fully Embraced /

Valued

Key Check Items!

Sustainability is most cost-effective when integrated at the planning stage.

Sustainability at infrastructure level

gives maximum impact

Dense, mixed-use Developments can

be a green machines

loayg@works.gov.bh; loay.ghz@gmail.com