Zaha Hadid Architects' Vision in the Desert: A Sustainable Garden City Rises in Sharjah

A masterplan that redefines future urban living through design, ecology, and community

In a bold continuation of her architectural legacy, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) unveil a masterplan that transforms the desert into a living, walkable, and inclusive cityscape. Located just south of BEEAH’s iconic zero-emission headquarters in Sharjah, the proposed Khalid Bin Sultan City is more than an urban development — it’s a rethinking of what a city in the 21st century can and should be.

At the heart of this visionary design is a two-kilometre linear oasis, a “green spine” that threads through seven residential neighborhoods, offering shaded walkways, communal gardens, and vibrant public squares. These sequences of nature and architecture form the city’s emotional and ecological core — places not just to pass through, but to gather, reflect, and grow.

A City of Human Scale and Ecological Mindfulness

ZHA’s design embraces a polycentric model, where each neighborhood revolves around a civic square with walkable access to essential services. Streets are lined with native trees, colonnades, and set-back façades to ensure climatic comfort, reduce urban heat, and encourage year-round outdoor living. Sustainability is not just a feature — it’s the foundation.

Residences are designed to integrate seamlessly with the oasis, offering views of lush landscapes and access to communal areas that foster a sense of belonging. Outdoor terraces, cafés, and shaded seating along tree-lined promenades invite spontaneous social interaction, making public space the true heartbeat of the city.

Innovation Meets Tradition

To the north, near the BEEAH HQ, a district for culture and innovation will rise — a dedicated space for start-ups, artisans, and creative incubators. Meanwhile, the southern zone will open into a mix of commercial and leisure offerings, ensuring a vibrant city rhythm that balances work, rest, and play.

ZHA’s vision is one of symbiosis between nature and architecture, where the desert is not resisted, but reimagined. It’s a city built not only for efficiency, but for emotional resonance, civic beauty, and future generations.

As cities worldwide grapple with sustainability and livability, Khalid Bin Sultan City offers a poetic and practical answer: a city where human life, ecology, and design can flourish — even in the heart of the desert.

Source and photo: DomusWeb