The Palm, Jumeirah is on course to welcome the first of its residents in early 2006, according to Nakheel, developers of Dubai’s iconic island development.Ê “Work is continuing briskly with more than 3,000 workers soon to arrive on the island”, said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Nakheel. “These individuals will form the core team that will put in place the bulk of the infrastructure for the island”.

Sulayem continued, “Preliminary work on the infrastructure stage of the project has already begun and the arrival of the workers will see the project continue to keep pace with the strict timetable that has been set”.

The infrastructure will include amongst others items, the construction of local bridges; waste water collection; storm water drainage; irrigation; domestic water supply network; piped gas; telecommunications; sanitary sewage system; electrical supply; chilled water system; road and streets; marinas and port facilities; fire fighting system; solid waste collection; services access to crescent island; infrastructure transportation and landscape and water features.

Wahid Attalla, Director of Operations, Nakheel said, “From the very beginning of the project we have worked with the world’s leading authorities to ensure that we are employing the most up-to-date technology and are benefiting from the latest experience and data on the construction of man-made islands. Only when the results of all of the studies had been fully analysed and our team was satisfied that work could begin did we enter the first phase of infrastructure development”.

“No effort has been spared to ensure that Nakheel delivers on its promise to create the Eighth Wonder of the World in The Palm. There is no room for error with this unique development, ” continued Attalla.

Peter de Ridder, Managing Director of Van Oord, the company responsible for the reclamation phase of The Palm, Jumeirah comments: “We have unmatched experience in building man-made islands throughout the world having been involved in projects as diverse as the reclamation of Hong Kong airport and industrial areas in Singapore to sea defence works in Holland.

“The Palm is unique in the scale of its vision and the size of the development itself but, from a technical perspective, the island has been relatively straightforward to construct. We have, though, been consistently impressed by the unerring eye for detail of the Nakheel engineering team and their insistence on the highest level of testing procedures throughout all phases of development”, continued de Ridder.

Evidence of the commitment of Nakheel to test the robustness of the island is provided by studies that are continuing at the moment to check the impact on The Palm, Jumeirah of earthquakes to a level of 2A. This is well beyond the scale of any geophysical disturbance ever recorded in Dubai.Ê

“We are not obliged to carry out such studies under the existing, stringent, building regulations laid down by the Municipality,” said Wahid Attalla. “This demonstrates once again our determination to leave absolutely nothing to chance with The Palm.”Ê

Spanning five kilometres in length and width, The Palm, Jumeirah is already considered one of the world’s most unique island destinations. Positioned to be a tranquil haven offering serenity and exclusivity, the spectacular homes, waterfront resorts, boutique hotels, shopping, spas, marinas, canals and more will all combine together to provide the most luxurious retreat destination.

Built in the shape of a palm tree, The Palm, Jumeirah comprises of a trunk; a crown with 17 fronds; and a surrounding crescent island - the back of which forms the breakwater. Construction commenced in June 2001.
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