Khalid Bin Sultan City redefines sustainable urbanism in Sharjah
The sustainable city in the desert envisioned by Zaha Hadid Architects is entering a new phase. Khalid Bin Sultan City will rise east of Sharjah International Airport, adjacent to the fluid, dune-inspired headquarters of environmental company BEEAH, also designed by the late Zaha Hadid.
The architectural language echoes desert landscapes while embedding core principles of sustainable design. The expansion builds on the original vision defined by BEEAH for its headquarters, translating corporate environmental values into a broader urban framework.
Sustainability, technology, culture and people
The masterplan for Khalid Bin Sultan City is structured around four guiding pillars:
- sustainability
- smart technology
- culture
- people-centered design
These principles shape seven residential neighborhoods, each organized around a central public space designed to foster community interaction and well-being.
A 2-kilometer linear park will serve as the project’s unifying element. With fluid, organic forms, the green corridor will cross the entire city, creating a visual and spatial dialogue with the surrounding architecture. Beyond its aesthetic function, the park will act as the ecological backbone of the urban layout, offering shaded areas, water features and biodiversity corridors to mitigate desert heat and improve outdoor comfort.
The park is conceived not only as a green lung, but also as a social and environmental infrastructure supporting biodiversity, gathering spaces and microclimate regulation.
A car-free model for desert living
According to the project brief released by Zaha Hadid Architects, Khalid Bin Sultan City is designed as a car-free environment. Private vehicles will be limited and relocated to the outer edges of the development.
Inside the city, soft mobility will dominate daily life. Pedestrian pathways and cycling routes will ensure safe, accessible and healthy movement for residents. Integrated landscaping and water elements will provide shading along circulation routes, helping reduce surface temperatures and enhance thermal comfort in a desert climate.
A human-scale city in the desert
Public spaces and functional hubs are central to the masterplan. Adjacent to BEEAH’s headquarters at the northern end of the site, a cultural center will anchor a new design and business district, positioned as a strategic creative hub for Sharjah.
The district will host incubators supporting cultural entrepreneurship, innovation and circular design initiatives.
At the heart of the central park, landmark buildings will include a contemporary mosque, a sports center and a commercial complex activating the southern edge of the city.
Despite its desert setting, the masterplan for Khalid Bin Sultan City outlines a human-scale urban model where well-being, nature and urban life coexist in an integrated environment.