(CNN)-- As interest in health and quality of life grows, it is not surprising that wellness tourism is experiencing rapid growth.

On one small Gulf island, work is underway to transform self-care from a temporary vacation into a daily lifestyle.

How so?

Fahd Island is scheduled to be completed in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi in 2029, featuring more than 6,000 homes in a coastal community designed from the outset to support the physical and mental health of its residents.

Property company Aldar is leading this project worth 40 billion Emirati dirhams, or about $10.9 billion. Aldar stated that all infrastructure, services, and facilities have been designed to provide a 'sanctuary' dedicated to fitness.

Fahd Island is set to offer a lifestyle focused on wellness and health. Credit: Aldar Development

Emma McCreary Breen, Senior Vice President at Aldar Properties, told CNN: 'We made sure that all our decisions, whether related to design or commercial aspects, are based on the project's vision from a health and wellness perspective.'

She added: 'It's about the fundamental principles of feeling comfortable... and you must ensure that your surrounding environment supports that.'

Residential units will be developed along the island's coastline. Credit: Aldar Development

Sustainable Living

According to a national study by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States published this month, living in more sustainable, walkable neighborhoods is associated with better physical and mental health.

The study noted that short, interconnected streets with a variety of amenities and parks are good examples of urban planning.

At the center of the island is 'Perm Park,' described as a 'dedicated wellness and fitness corridor,' featuring running trails and three cycling tracks that connect to Abu Dhabi's existing bike path network. Credit: Aldar Development

Fahd Island's developers aim to meet these standards through the 10-kilometer-long 'Perm Park,' which serves as a visual and acoustic barrier separating the beachfront from the mangrove forests on either side.

Plans include building three residential complexes, with prices starting from 1.9 million Emirati dirhams, equivalent to $517,000. Credit: Aldar Development

Along the 11-kilometer coastline, the 2.7 million square meter site will feature three residential complexes ranging from apartments to ultra-luxury villas.

Apartment prices listed on the company's website start at 1.9 million Emirati dirhams, reaching 7.6 million Emirati dirhams for premium residential units.

Green spaces are planned to make up 30% of the island's total area. Credit: Aldar Development

Residents will enjoy a variety of amenities, from a shopping street to beach clubs and water sports centers. All are accessible via an interconnected network of pedestrian pathways stretching 15 kilometers.

Breen said more than 70% of these paths will be shaded, making walking easier and more comfortable.

She added: 'I think there is a common misconception about the concept of wellness. Just because yoga is considered a wellness activity doesn't necessarily mean it's what people need to feel good daily... I need social interaction, and our waterfront promenade will give me that.'

Gyms, spas, and other fitness facilities will be scattered across the island. Credit: Aldar Development

King's College School Wimbledon is preparing to open its new branch on the island in September 2028.

It will be the first school in the world to receive 'Fitwel' certification, a healthy building rating program developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US General Services Administration (GSA), which evaluates new buildings based on their impact on occupants' health.

In another unprecedented global achievement, the island itself has received the program's certification, earning the highest three-star rating.

This rating came after a review of several areas, including physical activity, healthy food options, mental health, and reducing rates of illness and absenteeism.

The entire project is scheduled to open in 2029. Credit: Aldar Development

Joanna Frank, CEO of the Active Design Center, which manages the Fitwel program, told CNN via email that 'what is most striking is Aldar's commitment to viewing health as an integrated system, not just a collection of separate facilities.'

She added: 'Fahd Island demonstrates to the world that health can be integrated into community design from the start, to create places that are not only beautiful but also provide an environment that helps people thrive for generations to come.'