Vision Magazine Online Issue 1
Vision Magazine Online Issue 1
Vision Magazine Online Issue 1
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“Before the Revitalisation Programme, the Corniche<br />
was frequented by only a small proportion of the<br />
population,” remembers Yasser Al Nuaimi, Associate<br />
Manager at the UPC. “But now it is a facility that has<br />
become a day out for the whole family and in turn the<br />
whole community.”<br />
Despite the new amenities, Al Nuaimi says the<br />
most important changes have been those that have<br />
improved accessibility and made the entire area<br />
pedestrian-friendly.<br />
Underpasses have been upgraded and four pedestrian<br />
crossings have been added or improved to provide<br />
convenient and safe passage across the highway.<br />
Additional parking facilities have been delivered<br />
opposite the public beach and complemented with<br />
a park and ride service with stops at each of the six<br />
entry points to the beach.<br />
The good news is that the Corniche Revitalisation<br />
Programme is not yet finished. Another 400 metres<br />
of beachfront will receive the same facelift in the first<br />
half of this year. The UPC is also planning to add a 1.6<br />
kilometre extension, which will mean the beachfront<br />
will total 3.6 kilometres and stretch up to the junction<br />
with Airport Road. A truly exciting development for<br />
the community and tourists to use and enjoy for<br />
generations to come.<br />
A place to eat<br />
The Corniche has an array<br />
of new affordable food and<br />
beverage outlets spread<br />
along the waterfront to<br />
cater for breakfast, lunch,<br />
a quick snack following a<br />
swim, or a place to enjoy a<br />
coffee while watching the<br />
sun set.<br />
A place to<br />
relax<br />
A new boardwalk<br />
stretching the entire<br />
length of the public beach<br />
allows people to stroll<br />
along the shoreline and<br />
then sit down on one of<br />
many benches to enjoy<br />
the sea views. No longer<br />
do people have to walk<br />
on a pavement next to the<br />
Corniche Road.<br />
Beach rental services<br />
are available and include<br />
beach beds, umbrellas<br />
and cabanas to cater for<br />
sunbathers.<br />
Relax on one of the newly<br />
laid grass areas.<br />
A place for<br />
events<br />
Yasalam will return later in<br />
the year to commemorate<br />
Abu Dhabi’s second F1<br />
Grand Prix in November<br />
with its mix of public events<br />
and entertainment.<br />
The Corniche was the<br />
perfect backdrop for the<br />
Red Bull Air Race, which<br />
flew in on 25 and 26 March<br />
2010, while the beach<br />
was the perfect venue for<br />
Wakestock Abu Dhabi 2010<br />
in early March.<br />
The WOMAD festival will<br />
find it has an improved<br />
venue when it returns on<br />
22-24 April 2010.<br />
A place to play<br />
The Corniche has become<br />
an ideal place for running,<br />
cycling and skateboarding,<br />
while karts can be rented<br />
for both adults and children.<br />
Beach volleyball pitches and<br />
beach football pitches have<br />
been added.<br />
The beach is now a safe<br />
place for swimmers<br />
with trained lifeguards<br />
monitoring the sea from<br />
seven surveillance towers.<br />
A place for<br />
families<br />
The new beach has a<br />
separate Family Beach area<br />
that includes children’s<br />
play areas with slides<br />
and even table football<br />
facilities.<br />
Families can enjoy the<br />
use of picnic areas or<br />
visit one of the many<br />
food and beverage outlets<br />
where everyone can find<br />
something they enjoy<br />
eating.<br />
ISSUE ONE - VISION MAGAZINE 17
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