Al Ain Attracts Tourists As It Modernises City Roads- Preserves Historic Landmarks

Outlandish sculptures praised by the locals are being relocated to retain the city's heritage amidst the modernisation drive. 

Al Ain has been loved for its road network and motif-punctuated roundabouts that the city dwellers love. For years, the centre-piece of the roundabouts has been orated with sculptures and unique artwork.

Now, modern development conducted by local authorities is about to bring a major transformation to the city which will attract both locals and tourists. Roundabouts are to be replaced by bridges and underpasses. Local authorities are aiming to reduce travel time for motorists and enhance the quality of life of locals and the experience of visitors by introducing this change.

The Department of Municipality and Transport, Abu Dhabi said the operations would take place in phases, to safely move sculptures and motifs to new locations preserving the city’s heritage.

“I am very happy that we have kept these landmarks because it's what makes the city so special.”- resident

Roundabouts were introduced in the UAE in the 1950s based on the UK's traffic system. However, because of the high traffic volume on the roads, they have been slowly phased out to make way for more efficient flyovers.

Preserving ancient landmarks

Al Ain is home to many roundabouts, including the famous Tawam roundabout, which is one of the oldest and was originally positioned as the first roundabout for motorists arriving in Al Ain from Abu Dhabi.

It became a landmark in the city thanks to its four distinctive horse statues – two white and two black – located behind hedges, palm trees, street maps and flower-lined walkways.

Now, the roundabout is being redeveloped into an underpass tunnel with a graded traffic junction to improve congestion.

Among the first to revamp were the Deer, Clock and Al Mandous roundabouts, in the heart of the city.

The sculpture erected at Al Mandous roundabout was initially installed at the intersection of Ali bin Abi Talib Street and Hessa bint Mohammed Street.

Built in 1968, The Clock Tower Roundabout, served as a point of reference and a symbol of the 135km distance between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Al Ain's identity

"People who have lived in Al Ain for a long time know about these iconic landmarks as they have become part of the city's identity.”- Resident, Al Ain

The regional director of AECOM, Adeeb Sami, has lived in Al Ain for three decades.

He said the city's road improvement project would attract visitors and tourists, which would inturn boost the city's economy.

Mr Sami said Al Ain had an advantage over other emirates and cities in the UAE because it is not as densely populated.

"Al Ain is a city with a different vision to Abu Dhabi and Dubai and it is not as populated as other cities in the UAE. It has been developed horizontally not vertically, which gives us an advantage when creating an intersection after removing the roundabouts," he said.

"There are no tall buildings in Al Ain so that is an advantage because the population per square kilometre is not like Abu Dhabi's, so that provides us with a margin that we can work with which provides flexibility to change the roundabouts."

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