Capitala, the Abu Dhabi-based strategic master developer, has announced the first of several green initiatives under the Arzanah masterplan which will see the creation of a nursery to support long term transplantation.

Arzanah is a 1.4 million sq m fully integrated development encompassing residential, commercial, sports and leisure components.

Strategically located at the gateway point to the island of Abu Dhabi in the Grand Mosque District, it is one of the few remaining parcels of prime real estate on Abu Dhabi island.

These new intiatives reflect Capitala's commitment to sustainability at all levels and at every phase of the Arzanah masterplan, said a company official.

Capitala said it plans to carefully remove and transplant the trees to a specially built nursery on-site while Arzanah’s construction activities are underway.

At present Arzanah’s site, which consists of two parcels - the area that surrounds Zayed Stadium and the 2 km stretch of beachfront across the Khaleej Al Arabi road - is home to 3,000 palm trees and 7,000 mixed species trees.

This conservation plan involves reintegrating a large number of these trees which will be part of the new public realm spaces being created at Arzanah while others will be planted in other areas of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Capitala’s deputy CEO Peter Wilding commented: “This initiative is not only both practical and sustainable but necessary. Re-planting existing trees will help to ensure that the design of both public and private spaces are engaging, visually striking, practical and above all, suitable given the climate in the UAE”.

He added, “To help balance Arzanah’s micro climate and the eco system as a whole, the landscape plan will provide shade and colour as they line the streets and contour the garden areas of each new neighborhood being created at Arzanah”.

Construction of Arzanah’s first phase Rihan Heights commenced in mid 2008 and is scheduled for start of a gradual handover of residences to their owners beginning in Q1 2011.-TradeArabia News Service