Emirate follows neighbouring Dubai and Abu Dhabi with 25-year construction project

Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, has broken ground on a major project to regenerate its city centre in a bid to attract tourists. The Heart of Sharjah scheme by the  Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) will take 25 years to complete and is being touted as 鈥�one of the largest heritage projects in the region鈥�, although the developer declined to reveal its cost.

The first phase, which will take two years, will involve transforming one of the ruling family鈥檚 houses, Al Midfaa mansion, into a hotel. The project will also restore and partially demolish historic buildings and markets (鈥渟ouks鈥�). Two of these, Saqr Souq and Al Arsa Sou, will be connected through rebuilding a historic market called Al Shanasiah Souq which disappeared as a result of changes to buildings in the 1970s. The souks will get better air-conditioning, lighting and gates.

The project also encompasses preparations for the Sharjah Biennale in 2011, which will be hosted by the Sharjah Art Foundation.

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