The global trend of developers building residential communities centered around man-made tropical lagoons is booming, especially in landlocked greenfield sites seeking to create waterside living environments, according to Dubai-based coatings system house DELTA Coatings International.

Global Surge in Residential and Public Access Lagoons

Lagoon projects are transforming inland landscapes globally, offering unique waterfront experiences that rival natural seaside and lagoon locations.

Dubai is no exception, with a surge in lagoon-side residential communities opening at inland sites across the United Arab Emirates in recent years. Developers are increasingly catering to homebuyers who seek more than a standard swimming pool, preferring the natural beauty of expansive water views and the lifestyle appeal of large-scale, man-made lagoons. This growing demand has driven an increase in lagoon-based developments across the UAE, with even more projects planned to meet the expectations of a rapidly expanding market and growing population.

Public access lagoons—managed by both private operators and municipal authorities—are also seeing significant growth globally. This growth is fueled by buyer demand to live near beautiful water sources, which results in higher property values and greater returns for property developers.

New Lagoon Technology

Leading the development of advanced patented technologies that have revolutionized the man-made lagoon industry, Crystal Lagoons from Chile has reimagined the construction of artificial lagoons and water bodies. These innovations are enabling property developers worldwide—including in the U.S., Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Chile—to integrate large-scale tropical lagoon environments into residential developments, creating unique and desirable living spaces.

How Durable Are Man-Made Lagoons?

Durability of man-made lagoon linings is a key consideration, especially on sand-topped shorelines where foot traffic is high and potential damage from waterborne craft such as stand-up paddleboards and canoes in the splash zone is common. This is where the most durable shoreline lining is necessary and must be carefully specified by architects.

Polyurea-Based Linings Deliver Superior Durability

Polyurea-based linings have been identified by industry experts for their superior durability compared to most other alternatives on the market.

Dubai-based coatings system house DELTA Coatings International—a major manufacturer of aliphatic polyurea-based lining systems and global exporter—emphasizes that the role of beachhead linings is critical. The purpose of aliphatic polyurea-based protective linings is not only to provide an aesthetic finish but also to offer a long-term, durable, watertight solution that safeguards structural integrity while contributing to the lagoon’s overall sustainability.

Lagoon Case Study

A major Dubai-based lagoon project serves as a fitting case study, demonstrating the suitability of polyurea-based technology products as a lagoon lining.

DELTA Coatings was commissioned to provide a durable yet aesthetic protective lining for the shoreline and walkways of one of the largest man-made residential lagoons in Dubai.

The company’s product, DELTAShield Aqualine AL, a waterproofing and protective membrane, was specified. This fast-curing aliphatic polyurea elastomeric coating technology was chosen for its superior durability, color fastness and fast-curing properties at ambient temperatures, which shortened application and re-use times.

What Was the Project?

One of Dubai’s most recent major residential developments is District One, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City (MBR City), spread across 1,100 acres of lush greenery. At the heart of MBR City is its iconic man-made lagoon—central to the entire development’s visual appeal.

The lagoon required a tropical beach feel and look incorporated into a seamless protective and waterproof lining system for its entire shoreline, as well as its splash zones, podiums and walkways.

Challenge

Protecting the vast lagoon shoreline area—covering more than 20,000 m²—in just three months. Speed was essential for this project. To meet the residential master community launch deadline, DELTA Coatings needed to not only develop the coating but also serve as the turnkey project contractor, applying the lining system quickly and skillfully to the entire shoreline as part of this supply-and-apply project.

Benefits of Using Aqualine AL

To withstand heavy foot traffic, daily cleaning of sand and dust and splashing along the lagoon shoreline, the coating needed to provide durability and waterproofing for the substrate concrete while also ensuring UV stability and color fastness. DELTAShield Aqualine AL was formulated with these demands in mind.

DELTA Coatings formulated a complete system incorporating substrate preparation materials, primers and DELTAShield Aqualine AL. “The ease of application and fast-cure characteristics at ambient temperature made DELTAShield Aqualine AL a perfect choice for this time-constrained project.”—Belvin Marx, General Manager, DELTA Coatings International

Key Benefits

• Quick to apply: Rapidly spray-applied with very fast curing.
• Highly protective: The UV-stable, color-fast coating provides excellent hardness and displays very high impact and abrasion resistance.
• No topcoat required: DELTAShield Aqualine AL is a one-product, one-application thick lining that does not require a color-fast topcoat, eliminating potential topcoat delamination and color inconsistencies—especially in large-scale projects where batch differences are difficult to control.

Conclusion

The key to ensuring man-made lagoon longevity is applying aliphatic polyurea-based protective linings. DELTAShield Aqualine AL can be applied to any thickness in just one application. It’s a one-product, one-application lining, eliminating the need for a color-fast topcoat. This reduces the risk of topcoat delamination and color variations, improving visual consistency and durability while further reducing application time.

Equally important is its excellent resistance to UV weathering, impact and abrasion damage. This aliphatic polyurea-based technology delivers an optimum balance of flexibility, elongation and tensile strength, while also offering superior hardness, impact resistance and abrasion resistance.

Together, these properties enabled DELTA Coatings to provide a highly protective, durable coating in time for the lagoon launch. As a result, MBR City residents can now enjoy beautiful tropical beaches and walkways along the lagoons for many years to come.

*Images courtesy of DELTA Coatings.