The Dubai Waterfront (now known as Waterfront) was expected
to become the largest waterfront and largest man-made development in the world.
The project is a conglomeration of canals and artificial archipelago; it would
occupy the last remaining Persian Gulf coastline of Dubai, the most populous
emirate of the United Arab Emirates. It was planned to consist of a series of
zones with mixed use including commercial, residential, resort, and amenity
areas. The vision of the project is
"to create a world-class destination for residents, visitors and
businesses in the world's fastest growing city".
Run by the Dubai Waterfront Company, the project is open to
foreign investment with its real estate developer, Nakheel, owning a 51% stake.
Waterfront was being developed by Nakheel, one of the
world’s largest privately held real estate developers. The artificial islands
would be formed to resemble the most widely recognized symbol of Islam, the
star and crescent. This would produce a shelter around the Palm Jebel Ali, one
of the three Palm Islands, the largest artificial islands (shaped like palm
trees) in the world also being constructed by Nakheel.