Hatta gets a massive facelift to benefit citizen and tourists

In an effort to position Hatta as a year-round tourism destination and also enhance the lifestyle of the residents, the Supreme Committee for Development of Hatta has completed a suite of development projects in the area.

The works include the construction of the Hatta Dam Amphitheatre, a fully serviced school, and the prototype housing unit in Makan.

Apart from these, a new 15-kilometre mountain biking trail, a new 10-kilometre hiking trail, three farms – the Strawberry Farm, Hatta Farm, and the Leafy Greens Farm – have also been developed.

The programme also features enhancements to mobility solutions across Hatta region.

These projects form part of the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan. It focuses on advancing projects, initiatives, programmes, activities and events held in the area, while strengthening its social, economic and educational capacities.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai is the chairman of the Supreme Committee.

Hatta Dam project

The Hatta Dam Amphitheatre, spanning 610 metres, offers residents and visitors an accessible and convenient route to the dam’s topmost point. Six rest areas are positioned along the ascent, which rises 37 metres from the base. Reaching the summit takes around 17 minutes and the amphitheatre provides visitors panoramic views of the dam and a host of leisure activities offered in the area, including kayaking.

The amphitheatre was developed as an innovative access route, with the incline engineered at suitable gradients to ensure comfort for all users and enable safe, easy access to the top. Its design accommodates the needs of People of Determination and preserves the natural landscape through suspended-structure techniques that eliminate the need for backfilling, thereby protecting the surrounding environment.

The project also adheres to Hatta’s Urban Design Guidelines, with architectural treatments and selected materials chosen to reflect the area’s local character.

The amphitheatre is connected to the Mobility Centre located near its starting point to ensure a comfortable journey for users.

Visitors can also reach the Hatta Waterfalls area via a pathway linking the base of the amphitheatre to the sustainable Hatta Waterfalls project, developed by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

The natural slope of the dam was used to create a mosaic mural depicting the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Recognised as the largest of its kind in the world, the mural comprises more than 1.2 million pieces of natural marble.

The waterfalls descend into a water channel lined on both sides with retail outlets, restaurants and cafés.

The school

The new school spans 18,600 square metres and is built to the latest international designs and standards. The facility can accommodate more than 1,000 students. It has 44 classrooms, dedicated learning laboratories, indoor sports halls and playgrounds covering 4,700 square metres. It also features a multi-purpose theatre with 416 seats, including four designated for People of Determination. Additionally, the school includes a kindergarten section, a medical clinic and parking facilities for 14 school buses and 52 vehicles, including four slots for electric vehicles.

It also adopts environmentally friendly solutions through the installation of 474 solar panels with a generation capacity of up to 280 kilowatts, delivering annual savings of up to AED160,000 (US$43,567) under optimal weather conditions.

Other sustainability measures include sensor-operated water taps to reduce waste, solar-powered water-heating systems and thermal insulation across the building facades to enhance cooling efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

The Committee also completed maintenance works at four schools: Hatta 1 School, Hatta 2 School, Rashid bin Saeed School and Al Dhahra School.

The farms

The development of the three farms forms part of wider efforts to strengthen food security and enhance the sustainability of the agricultural sector through the introduction of modern farming technologies and improvements to production efficiency.

The Strawberry Farm development involved expanding the outdoor cultivation area and upgrading the greenhouse by increasing the number of strawberry seedlings through innovative vertical farming systems using hydroponic technology. Cooling efficiency was improved through the installation of new units and a dedicated seed-nursery facility was constructed to support the agricultural production cycle.

At the Leafy Greens Farm, three greenhouses operating with hydroponic farming systems were developed, alongside integrated facilities that include storage buildings and specialised training spaces to nurture the skills of agricultural and technical personnel. A direct-sale outlet was also created, enabling consumers to purchase fresh produce directly from the farm.

At Hatta Farm, greenhouses using hydroponic technology, supported by smart crop-management systems, were established. This enhances the operational efficiency and improves the quality of agricultural outputs.

As part of the Committee’s commitment to strengthening social cohesion among residents, work is underway on the Hatta Majlis, which is designed to accommodate 130 people and serve as a community gathering space. A new wedding hall, with a capacity of 1,000 people, is also under construction.

The Hatta Community Service Centre is also being built. This will provide a range of services for residents in Makan District. The centre spans 2,000 square metres and features 13 commercial units.

Work is continuing on 213 homes for UAE nationals in Makan, along with the design of a model residential neighbourhood for citizens.

Other ongoing projects include the enhancement of the Hatta Hospital, development of the Hatta Sports Club and the maintenance of dams across the region.