Hatta is getting a lot of creativity for the benefit of its residents and visitors
In an effort to position HATA as a year-round tourist destination and also to improve the lifestyle of the residents, the executive committee for the development of Hatta has finalized a suite of development projects in the area.
Projects include the construction of the Hatta Dam Amphitheater, a full-service school, and a prototype housing unit in Makan.
Apart from this, a new 15-Kikimeter hiking hiking trail, new 10-kikimeter farms, three farms – a strawberry farm, a hatta farm, and a leafy greens farm – were also built.
The plan also includes improvements to transportation solutions throughout the Hatta Region.
These projects form part of HATTA’s overall development plan. It focuses on developing projects, initiatives, programs, activities and events held in the area, while strengthening its social, economic and educational capacities.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roads and Transport (RTA) in Dubai is the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Hatta Dam Project
The Hatta Dam Amphitheater, Spanning 610 meters, offers residents and visitors an accessible and convenient way to the top of the dam. Six rest areas are placed along the ascent, which rises 37 meters from the base. Access to the summit takes 17 minutes and the amphitheater offers panoramic views of the dam and recreational activities offered in the area, including Kayaking.
The amphitheater was developed as an innovative approach, with an engineering of inclines and suitable gradients to ensure the comfort of all users and provide safe access. Its design meets the needs of people who are willing and preserve the natural environment with established installation techniques that eliminate the need for restoration, thus protecting the environment.
The project also adheres to HATA’s urban design guidelines, with architectural treatments and materials chosen to reflect the local character of the area.
The Amphitheater is connected to a travel center near its starting point to ensure a comfortable journey for users.
Visitors can also reach the hatta waterfall using the path that connects the base of the Amphitheater to the Sustainable Waterfall Project, developed by Dubai Electric and Water Authority (Dewa).
The natural inclination of the dam was used to create a mosaic mural depicting the arrival of Sheikh Zayled Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed al Maktoum. Recognized as the largest of its kind in the world, the murals consist of over 1.2 million pieces of natural marble.
The falls go down to a water station lined on both sides with shops, restaurants and bakeries.
School
The new school occupies 18,600 square meters and was built with the latest international designs and standards. The center can accommodate more than a thousand students. It has 44 classrooms, dedicated learning laboratories, indoor sports halls and playgrounds covering 4,700 square meters. It also has a multi-purpose stadium with 416 seats, including four designated stands. In addition, the school includes a kindergarten section, a medical clinic and parking spaces for school buses and 52 cars, including four spaces for electric vehicles.
It also adopts environmentally friendly solutions with the installation of 474 solar panels with a solar generation of up to 280 kilowatts, bringing annual savings of up to AED160,000 (US $43,567) under ideal weather conditions.
Other sustainability measures include water taps that work with sensors to reduce waste, systems with solar energy benefits and thermal insulation on all building facades to improve energy use.
The Committee is also completing maintenance works in four schools: HATA 1 School, Hatta 2 School, Rashid Bin Saeed School and Al Dhahra School.
Farms
The development of the three farms is part of a wider effort to strengthen food security and improve the resilience of the agricultural sector through modern farming technology and improved productivity.
The development of the Strawberry farm involves expanding the outdoor planting area and improving the greenhouses by increasing the number of strawberry seedlings through the use of hydroponic technology. The efficiency of the cooling is improved by the installation of new units and seeds of dedicated conditions – the cooling area is designed to support the agricultural production cycle.
In the leafy greens farms, three greenhouses with hydroponic cultivation systems are being built, along with integrated areas that include storage buildings and special training spaces to increase the skills of agricultural and technical workers. A grocery store is also being built, enabling consumers to buy fresh produce directly from the farm.
At Hatta Farm, greenhouses using hydroponic technology, supported by intelligent plant management systems, were established. This improves operational efficiency and improves the quality of agricultural results.
As part of the committee’s commitment to strengthening community cohesion among residents, work continues on the Hatta Majlis, designed to seat 130 people and serve as a community gathering place. A new wedding hall, with a capacity of 1,000 people, is also being built.
The Hatta Community Service Center is also under construction. This will provide various services to the residents of Makan district. The center covers 2,000 square meters and 13 commercial signs.
Work continues on 213 homes in the UAE Makan, as well as the construction of model residential neighborhoods for citizens.
Other ongoing projects include the development of the Hatta hospital, the development of the Hatta Sports Club and the maintenance of dams across the district.
