Dubai: The second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan has been approved by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
Enhancing Urban Centers, Dubai Real Estate Strategy, Urban Farming Plan, Preserving Urban Heritage Plan, Developing the 20-Minute City Policy, and Pedestrian Network Master Plan are just a few of the projects that make up Phase II of the plan’s 10 core goals. Additionally, His Highness examined the status of 17 initiatives and projects that were a part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s initial phase.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “Today, we have a clear vision for the development of Dubai’s urban infrastructure and housing sector until 2040. Our goal is for Dubai to be an eco- and pedestrian-friendly city, and a city with a high yield from urban agriculture.”
Phase II of Dubai 2040
The chief initiatives of Phase II of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan were presented to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid by Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Well-Being Pillar and Chair of the Supreme Committee of Urban Planning in Dubai. A comprehensive plan for the development of Dubai’s five main metropolitan centers—three already existent and two new—is included in the next phase.
The plan also specifies a thorough strategy for Dubai’s real estate market up until 2040 in order to bring it into compliance with the Master Plan’s criteria and achieve a balance between supply and demand. To manage opportunities and changes in the real estate market, accomplish sustainable urban growth, and increase investor trust, it calls for proactive measures.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Border Security Council.
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s second phase contains a framework for high-yield farming and agriculture by choosing appropriate sites and creating the facilities and infrastructure needed to guarantee food security. Phase II also lays out strategies for maintaining urban heritage to strengthen the emirate’s identity, promote historic neighbourhoods, buildings, and attractions, and enhance the tourism encounter at archaeological sites.
20-minute city
A 20-minute city is one where citizens may travel anywhere in that city on foot or by bicycle in under 20 minutes, according to the master plan. In order to provide residents with access to 80% of their daily requirements and destinations within 20 minutes, the project consists of creating integrated service centres with all the required amenities and increasing the population density around mass transit stations.
A strategy will also be developed to improve and use urban areas like squares, underpasses beneath bridges, and alleyways by enhancing the components of well-being to make them appealing to locals and tourists alike. The project helps to improve the aesthetics of metropolitan areas, provide green spaces, lessen carbon emissions, and improve landscaping techniques. Connected paths in densely populated places will be the main focus of a comprehensive plan for soft mobility for pedestrians throughout Dubai.
The creation of an avenue connecting every residential neighbourhood is the focus of Phase II of the master plan. It comprises identifying a location within residential neighbourhoods and constructing it in accordance with the integrated street network principle, where facilities and services are geared toward meeting the needs of the locals. This programme improves well-being, encourages soft mobility, and cuts down on commute time inside Dubai.
Achievements and accomplishments
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was also briefed by Al Tayer about the 17 projects that have been completed or are nearing completion. The National Housing Policy in Dubai was one of six projects that the Supreme Committee of Urban Planning in Dubai finished with the help and oversight of Dubai’s leadership. A historic housing budget of AED65 billion was allotted as part of the policy, increasing the number of people who would benefit from Dubai’s housing programme. In Dubai, the area of land plots designated for housing nationals increased to 1.7 million square feet.
Launching the Hatta Development Master Plan to improve well-being was one of the completed tasks. The strategy intends to provide locals with investment opportunities, encourage regional tourism, draw in investment, fortify collaborations with the business sector, protect cultural and natural resources, and advance tourism in Hatta.
Urban Planning Law
Drafting the Urban Planning Law and creating an integrated planning database to enable sustainable development in line with the emirate’s aims were also completed initiatives. The Dubai Countryside and Rural Places Development Master Plan was also one of the projects, and it aims to conserve the natural beauty of those areas while simultaneously meeting the demands of locals and tourists. In addition to offering a distinctive tourism experience and growing Dubai’s countryside as one of its primary tourist attractions, the strategy aims to improve the well-being of inhabitants and visitors.
The Dubai Wellbeing Strategy and a project to expand Dubai’s public beaches are two of the additional five projects that the Supreme Committee of Urban Planning aims to complete by the end of this year.
A plan for integrating land use and transportation policies, a landscaping policy, directing development in coastal areas and lengthening beaches, doubling the number of public parks and recreational areas, creating a plan for sustainable mobility, and creating a plan for the environment and sustainability are just a few of the projects that will be finished the following year.
The Best City for Living
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum authorised the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan in March 2021 with the goal of making Dubai the best city in the world to live in.
As a result, there will be a further modernization of the city’s urban infrastructure, with a concentration on five important urban centres. The emirate’s historical neighbourhoods, such as Deira and Bur Dubai, feature museums, traditional and modern markets, and old residential areas that emphasise its tradition and heritage. The Dubai International Financial Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, and Downtown make up the city’s economic and trade centre, which supports a variety of commercial and financial operations. The Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers are part of the tourism and entertainment hub, which supports a variety of business and leisure activities.
Two new centres
The Expo 2020 Center, a hub for the exhibitions, tourist, and logistics industries, and Dubai Silicon Oasis Centre, a scientific, technology, and information hub that encourages innovation, the expansion of the digital economy, and the development of fresh talent, are the two new centres.
By ensuring equal access to infrastructure, services, and opportunities for all city residents, the new Master Plan establishes an integrated strategy for the growth of urban centres. According to a graded structure of urban centres with a variety of uses and densities, the plan identifies six levels of urbanisation that serve the community in a variety of residential and functional capacities.
Based on these six levels, it would be possible to identify the infrastructure needs for Dubai’s districts, including for energy, roads and transportation systems, government services like hospitals and schools, service centres, and service and recreation facilities, in a way that enhances the use of adaptable and sustainable forms of transportation.