Four unfinished towers in Mina Zayed Plaza pictured just before the detonation at 8am on Friday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
Four unfinished towers in Mina Zayed Plaza pictured just before the detonation at 8am on Friday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
Hundreds of explosive charges are detonated inside the structures
Hundreds of explosive charges are detonated inside the structures
The buildings collapse in a controlled operation sending debris into a cordoned off port area
The buildings collapse in a controlled operation sending debris into a cordoned off port area
Work on the towers began in 2007 but stalled in the 2009 financial crisis and have stood empty for the past decade
Work on the towers began in 2007 but stalled in the 2009 financial crisis and have stood empty for the past decade
The three smaller towers topple followed by the taller fourth
The three smaller towers topple followed by the taller fourth
In total 144 floors between the four towers were brought down
In total 144 floors between the four towers were brought down
Dust and debris cascades into the surrounding streets, which were cleared by police on Thursday
Dust and debris cascades into the surrounding streets, which were cleared by police on Thursday
Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district
Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district
Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district
Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district

Environment

Abu Dhabi knocks down hundreds of ageing buildings in regeneration drive

Abandoned buildings and run-down structures were removed as part of efforts to enhance the look of the capital

Haneen Dajani
Haneen Dajani
UAE

December 07, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi's authorities knocked down hundreds of buildings this year as part of a major drive to protect the image of the capital.

Abu Dhabi Municipality said 38 abandoned buildings and 224 other structures were taken down.

The wide-ranging scheme covered all corners of the emirate, including Mussaffah, Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra, Al Wathba and Al Shahama.

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Last month, the unfinished Mina Plaza towers were demolished to make way for a regeneration of the Mina Zayed port area.

Six thousand kilograms of explosives and 18,000 individually programmed detonators were used to blow up the towers in just 10 seconds.

The city's planners have a better and bolder vision for the new site, which will transform the district into a bustling market, entertainment and shopping destination.

"The projects aimed to curb eyesores in the city, and to protect Abu Dhabi's clean and healthy atmosphere," the municipality said.

The project involved removing a number of "random, unorganised" mosques, based on a request from the Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

In recent years, run-down apartment buildings in the city's Tourist Club district have been pulled down to make way for more modern housing and commercial space.

A residential building is knocked down in the city. Courtesy: ADM.
A residential building is knocked down in the city. Courtesy: ADM.
TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

On Women's Day
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  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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