TransitAl Raha Beach Light Rail Transport System

Al Raha Beach Light Rail Transport System — Abu Dhabi (UAE)

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LOCATION
Abu Dhabi, UAE
TYPE
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
SERVICES
Concept -, Preliminary - and Detailed Design incl. Technical Specifications (DBOM) and cost estimates

CONCEPT

The Al Raha Beach Development Project comprises the development of a satellite city near Abu Dhabi Airport, approximately 30 km from the city of Abu Dhabi. In 2006, DB International was commissioned by Cansult Maunsell Consultancy Services Ltd. to design and specify a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system as the backbone of public transportation within the development. As part of the project, atelier4d, in collaboration with RFR Paris, developed a prototype design for the 14 line stations, which was then individually adapted to each specific site. In addition to the line stations, the two terminals as well as the entire maintenance, workshop, and administration complex were developed and planned to construction-ready stage.

The costs of the LRT system has been estimated to AED 2.52 billion without RST.

LRTLight Rail TransitAbu DhabiInfrastructureUrban Integration

PROJECT DATA

ClientAldar Properties PJSC, UAE
Total AreaStation GFA 2,000m²/ Terminal GFA 13,500m²/ Depot GFA 127,500m²
Project BudgetStations € 450M / Depot € 35M
ServicesPhases 1-6
Duration2006-2007
Data11 km; 1 Double track line
CostAED 2.52 billion without RST
Special EngineeringRFR Paris
Statics/ Structural PlanningMaunsell Ltd. (AECOM)
MEPRealistics GmbH
Lighting designSpeirs + Major London
Landscape designEDAW Australia

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€800M
Project scope of our largest ongoing project
International Experience
Projects in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and China
2013
QM-certified in accordance with the ‘Planer am Bau’ scheme; TÜV Rheinland certificate registration no.: 01 355 000001/096
2024
EcoVadis Sustainability Rating, DEC 2025 in Silver

From the feasibility study through to detailed design and tendering, we support complex projects with an interdisciplinary team of architects and engineers.

Sustainability starts with Design

How sustainable a building will be is decided in its first design phases. Sustainability is therefore not an additional requirement for us but part of good architecture: we take the whole life cycle into our decisions and develop durable, adaptable solutions that spare resources and keep CO₂ emissions as low as possible.

Ecological, economic and social requirements are drawn together with the specialist disciplines involved into one integrated concept.

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Certification creates transparency

Not every sustainable building needs a certificate. Where one is wanted or required, we build its criteria into the design early and coordinate the evidence. Sustainability then becomes measurable, comparable and independently verifiable.

Depending on the project and the system, we take on the auditor or assessor services or guide clients and design teams through the whole process:

The standard we set ourselves

Sustainability shapes not only our projects but also the way we operate as a company. We have EcoVadis independently assess our performance across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement — in November 2025 we were awarded the EcoVadis silver medal.

"Planning sustainably means translating responsibility into concrete decisions — traceable, deliverable, and of lasting benefit to clients, to the people who use the buildings and to the built environment."

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Our story
1996Milestone

Founded in Berlin

Bettina Dittemer and Fabian Zimmermann found atelier 4d in Berlin, for architecture of substance with a particular focus on infrastructure and on urban planning around railway stations.

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30 – 3950%
40 – 5430%
> 5510%

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In short: because we stand for diversity, tolerance, and a healthy work environment. This includes flexible, mobile working and a strong, supportive team. We support our employees in a targeted manner – for example, by helping them enter the Chamber of Architects. We also offer you stability and perspectives through long-term, future-oriented projects.

Current Openings

Currently no positions available but we are always looking for talented and motivated individuals. Please feel free to send your speculative application!

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Sandra Röhr
atelier 4d Planungs GmbH
Stuttgarter Platz 16, 10627 Berlin
E-Mail:bewerbungbot-protection-active [at] atelier4d-architekten.de

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