The Strand: A people-first masterplan redefining liveability in Ras Al Khaimah

Chapman Taylor has designed the masterplan for The Strand, a landmark 620,000 m2 GFA residential destination in Ras Al Khaimah for RAK Properties, that places people, wellbeing, and environmental performance at the heart of urban living.

Located at Marjan Beach, the development marks a new chapter in the emirate's evolution, creating a vibrant, walkable community where residential, retail, hospitality, leisure and creative uses are seamlessly integrated. The masterplan reflects a growing ambition to create neighbourhoods that are not only commercially successful, but also healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable places to live.

Rather than following the conventional model of vehicle-led urban expansion, The Strand has been conceived around the daily experience of people. Every aspect of the masterplan encourages movement on foot or by bicycle, enabling residents and visitors to work, socialise, relax and exercise within a connected public realm designed for year-round enjoyment.

Inspired by the traditional sikkas of Arabian settlements alongside the legible street patterns of European cities, the masterplan replaces wide vehicular corridors with a network of shaded pedestrian routes that create a more intimate and human-scale environment. Public spaces, landscaped streets and vibrant ground-floor uses combine to encourage spontaneous interaction and foster a strong sense of community.

Environmental performance has been embedded throughout the design process. Advanced thermal and wind simulations informed the arrangement of buildings, public spaces and shading structures to optimise comfort throughout the year. By increasing natural airflow and integrating generous planting and canopies, the masterplan reduces ground-level temperatures by an average of four degrees Celsius, while more than 90 percent of the public realm is designed to maintain a comfortable outdoor microclimate even during the Gulf summer.

At the heart of the development is a 1.5-kilometre landscaped green spine linking The Strand's Creative, Urban and Garden districts. The public realm has been carefully planned to eliminate internal vehicular roads, with parking accommodated within integrated podium structures rather than at street level. This creates a continuous pedestrian environment where residents can move safely between homes, retail destinations, workplaces, parks and leisure facilities without interacting with traffic. Dedicated jogging routes, outdoor fitness areas and generous green spaces further promote healthier, more active lifestyles.

Designed to accommodate more than 6,000 homes, The Strand demonstrates how thoughtful masterplanning can deliver lasting social, environmental and commercial value. By prioritising walkability, climate resilience and high-quality public space, the development establishes a new benchmark for waterfront living in the Northern Emirates and supports the wider ambitions of Ras Al Khaimah Vision 2030.