SLA has completed one of the largest urban greening projects ever in the UAE: 104 new neighbourhood parks across Abu Dhabi, designed to improve health, biodiversity, and the everyday quality of life for all Abu Dhabi’s residents. The greening project is delivered in close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport.
From 740,000 m2 barren land to 104 vibrant parks
Spread across the neighbourhoods of Khalifa City, Al Ain, Shakhbout, and Mohamed Bin Zayed City, SLA has transformed 740,000 m² of previously barren land into 104 vibrant public spaces filled with local trees, native plants, shaded walkways, multi-use sports courts, playgrounds, and social gathering areas.
Together, the 104 parks introduce more than 22,500 new trees and a 500% increase in biodiversity – helping to cool the city, reduce carbon emissions, manage stormwater, and support local wildlife.
“We have seen from the recent record-high temperatures that Abu Dhabi’s climate can make it difficult for people to be active and socialize outdoors. Our 104 parks are designed to change that – by creating cool, green spaces where people can meet, move, and enjoy nature close to home,”
Rasmus Astrup, Design Principal and Partner at SLA.
Each park is tailored to its local context, with designs based on native plant ecosystems and community needs. Amenities range from football pitches and dog parks to picnic tables and exercise zones, offering something for residents of all ages.
The parks use drought-resistant plants and specific soil design techniques that reduce the need for irrigation and maintenance and create a lush and cooling environment for play and socializing where visitors can see, hear, and feel the benefits of enhanced biodiversity and climate resilience.
Beautiful, biodiverse, and climate-resilient
At the heart of the design process is SLIM (SLA Landscape Information Modelling), SLA’s proprietary computational design tool that combines advanced digital modelling with ecological and social data. SLIM has helped SLA’s team of designers, ecologists, anthropologists, and planting specialists create site-specific solutions for all 104 parks – ensuring each park performs optimally in terms of climate resilience, biodiversity, and user experience.
“This is not a ‘starchitect’ project, it’s not about creating flashy icons. It’s about everyday life – about making real, tangible improvements to how people live in their neighbourhoods. We’ve worked closely with local communities, studied their needs, and used advanced design tools to deliver parks that are both beautiful and deeply functional.”
Rasmus Astrup, Design Principal and Partner at SLA.
A scalable nature-based model for arid cities
The project marks a significant step forward in resilient and nature-based urban development in the Middle East. With a wide range of park types – from 1,600 m² pocket parks to 20,000 m² adventure parks – the initiative provides a scalable nature-based model for climate-adapted, people-first green infrastructure.
Facts
Location: Abu Dhabi (Khalifa City, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Shakhbout, and Al Ain), UAE
Total size: 740,000 m2
Year: 2021 — 2025
Client: Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi
Lead Landscape Architect: SLA
Architect of Record: Parsons
