Atkins, a leading engineering and project management consultancy, has won a design competition conducted by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) for new marine transport stations along the recently-opened Dubai Canal.

Atkins’ winning concept drew inspiration from Dubai’s heritage and the historic fishing and pearling culture of the region.

A large translucent canopy over each station symbolises a fishing net being cast into the water, and provides shading to the pontoon and station building beneath, said the statement from the top consultancy which is celebrating 50 years in the Middle East region this year.

Photovoltaic panels are incorporated into the canopy to generate solar power to supply light at night time to the stations which glow like beacons along the canal. The station itself is designed to maximize the views over the canal and the city beyond, it added.

Atkins said these marine stations will be providing transport links for commuters and tourists from Business Bay to Jumeirah. An estimated 13 million passengers use marine transit each year, it stated.

Adrian Lindon, the fellow and director of architecture at Atkins, said: "The sustainable design aims to generate its own power and hence reduce operational cost and reflect RTA’s commitment to the environment."

"We are now looking at the possibility of 3D printing some of the station structure modules. The Dubai 3D Printing Strategy is particularly relevant to the construction sector with a target to 3D print 25 per cent of buildings in Dubai by 2030," noted Lindon.

"The Dubai Creek is of deep historic and cultural significance to the city and has been since the early 20th Century. Opening the Dubai Water Canal in 2016 and developing more public transport choices throughout the city demonstrates the innovative vision of the RTA and the Government of Dubai," he stated.

"Public transportation is the cornerstone of smart healthy cities, as such the RTA is playing a vital role in meeting Dubai’s Smart City aspirations," he added.-TradeArabia News Service