Abu Dhabi Corniche Park & Gardens

The Abu Dhabi Corniche, built 2001-2005, runs for 5km from the Sheraton to the Hilton Hotel and is strewn with gardens. The planting is maturing and the Corniche now has good planting as well as sandy beaches, a cycle track, children's play areas and facilities for athletes. The project was managed by Parsons International and the landscape architects were LANDinc from Toronto, Canada. A wave form was used as a physical and symbolic expression of interaction with the sea, with tented sun-shades evoking both desert encampments and the peaks of waves (‘white horses’). The area is approx 50 ha and the design is an intelligent response the climatic, social and cultural conditions of Abu Dhabi. The Corniche gardens are very popular in the winter months and used even in the humid heat of summer.