Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, alongside state-run Modon Properties, is to renovate the city’s Zayed Port.

The port, which has housed Abu Dhabi’s main fish market for the past 30 years, will be refurbished and expanded to include fruit and vegetables, meat, carpets and dates.

There will also be facilities for “pop-up” stalls, allowing retailers to display their merchandise on a seasonal or short-term basis.

Existing shops and markets will remain open to the public throughout the redevelopment, and will be rehoused in their new premises when they are completed.The 3 million sq m project is part of the emirate's urban development plan. Ahmed Al Shaikh Al Zaabi, Modon Properties’ direction of delivery, said: “The main objective is to consolidate all the significant markets and souks into one destination within the retail hub of Abu Dhabi.

“The strategic enhancements will focus on remaining true to the culture of the historic area in hopes of building community pride and maintaining Zayed Port’s decades-long legacy of importance in the capital.”