Zaha Hadid Architects Unveils Sharjah Master Plan with 2-Kilometre Oasis at Its Heart
A Visionary Urban District Rooted in Landscape and Community
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has unveiled its ambitious master plan for Khalid Bin Sultan City in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates—a future-forward district designed to blend fluid architecture with ecological resilience. Located beside the firm's iconic BEEAH Headquarters, the new development channels the same organic aesthetic, drawing on the natural contours of desert dunes to shape a modern cityscape focused on livability and sustainability.Anchoring the city is a breathtaking two-kilometre-long central oasis, a shaded, linear green space threading through the urban core. It promises not only environmental benefits, but also a new rhythm for daily life, where community interaction, health, and creativity come to the forefront.
Seven Walkable Neighbourhoods, One Connected Vision
Designed as a design and business district, the master plan is composed of seven residential neighbourhoods, each built around a civic plaza and located within a five-minute walk of one another. These public squares will serve as vibrant social hubs, featuring amenities such as mosques, cultural centres, and outdoor sports facilities designed for year-round use.Strategically placed incubator spaces will support Sharjah’s growing creative sector, while venues for performance, exhibitions, and workshops reinforce the city’s cultural identity. The entire layout encourages low-impact urban living, with a focus on walkability, shaded routes, and close-knit community spaces.
The Central Oasis: Nature as Urban Infrastructure
Extending from the BEEAH business district, the central oasis forms a continuous, landscaped spine that not only connects but defines the city. Meandering through neighbourhoods, the green corridor widens at key points to create gathering spots such as sculpture gardens, wildlife ponds, cafés, and outdoor wellness zones.Shaded cycling and jogging tracks ensure the space is active and inviting year-round, while adjacent residential buildings benefit from cooling tree canopies and expansive views over the greenery. This central feature is not only aesthetic but serves as a climate buffer and community anchor.
Climate-Conscious Urbanism: Redesigning for Resilience
The master plan confronts one of the region’s biggest urban challenges—heat—by shifting away from car-centric development. Instead, it embraces cool, walkable environments through tree-shaded pathways, colonnaded structures, and recessed façades. Residential blocks are within reach of sports centres, childcare facilities, and health clinics, encouraging residents to travel on foot.Strategic landscaping throughout the project helps lower ground temperatures, while shaded public spaces encourage outdoor gatherings, supporting a stronger sense of community. It's a thoughtful blend of urban design and environmental engineering—an approach that puts people and nature at the centre.
Sharjah: A Cultural and Architectural Beacon
The ZHA master plan emerges during a time of architectural momentum in Sharjah. The emirate, long known for its investment in arts and heritage, is preparing for the 2026 edition of its Architecture Triennial. Past and current events, including the 2023–2024 Triennial curated by Tosin Oshinowo, have explored themes like adaptability and impermanence in urban design.Elsewhere in Sharjah, other notable projects are making headlines—HWKN’s AI-driven urban concept, the Jawaher Boston Medical District by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, and the recently completed Sharjah Mosque designed by MJU Engineering Consultancy. These projects collectively affirm the emirate’s place as a growing hub for architectural experimentation and cultural innovation.
With the Khalid Bin Sultan City master plan, Zaha Hadid Architects isn't just designing buildings—it’s designing a way of life shaped by connectivity, culture, and sustainability.
