FLAMINGO VISITOR CENTER , AL WATHBA, ABU-DHABI
The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, located south-east of central Abu Dhabi, was declared a protected area in 1998. The 5km² reserve is home to some 260 species of birds and other wildlife, including shrimp, scorpions, and lizards. Each autumn through spring, a wave of 4000 pink flamingos flock to the reserve, where they breed and spend the cooler winter months.
The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) oversees the conservation of this special habitat. It manages a rehabilitation program that has, among other things, planted native trees to form a protective barrier around the reserve. The EAD also regulates the amount of water that enters the wetlands from a nearby water treatment plant.
Following the success of the Flamingo Observation Tower competition, the Abu Dhabi Flamingo Visitor Center challenge competition set in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in partnership with the EAD. The EAD will consider winning proposals for construction.
