Qatar-based United Development Company’s (UDC) The Pearl-Qatar was rated alongside Paris, Venice and Sydney as one of the world’s great waterfront cities at a recent waterfronts conference in Doha.

Jerry Jackson, technical director at UDC, presented a key paper which highlighted the importance of community development in mega waterfront projects at the third Annual Urban Waterfronts Conference at The Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Abdulrahim Al-Ibrahim, director of The Pearl-Qatar Central Authority Directorate (TCAD), presented an outline which highlighted UDC’s environmental management in construction and design of The Pearl-Qatar.

UDC has been a major sponsor of the third Annual Urban Waterfront Conference, positioning The Pearl-Qatar, UDC’s flagship project, alongside other waterfront developments of national and international importance.

Throughout the planning and designing of the island, the concept of community has remained central to UDC and the residential community has been able to grow alongside the development of the multiple precincts on the island.

“The Pearl-Qatar was designed and built to ensure different kinds of people would be able to find exactly what they want on the island,” Jackson said.

“This is why you can find different types of properties at different price points, designed with different exterior architecture and different interiors, all on the one island,” he added.

Al-Ibrahim added: “It has been a real achievement of UDC that we have been able to preserve the island’s greatest natural asset throughout construction.

“You can’t work against nature - you have to work with it. With this approach we have ensured residents at The Pearl-Qatar can enjoy the beautiful waterfront lifestyle.”

Resident numbers at The Pearl-Qatar are expected to grow to over 2,000 by the end of this year, a statement said.

In 2010 a number of new shopping and dining outlets have opened on the island, including luxury brands Salvatore Ferragamo, Santoni and the Lebanese contemporary cuisine restaurant, Liza with many more openings in retail and hospitality expected in 2010 and 2011, it added. – TradeArabia News Service