Dubai to get new public beaches and green spaces under Dh2bn plan

Plans announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reviews plans for a beach-side development. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reviews plans for a beach-side development. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

One of 29 projects, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday, that aim to increase the emirate's green spaces and improve quality of living. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

A sea-side development is one of 29 projects announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

A development planned for a 12-kilometre stretch of beach in Dubai. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, is shown a presentation of 29 new projects that aim to improve the quality of living in the emirate. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Dubai will create a dozen new beaches and millions of square metres of green spaces at a cost of more than Dh2.5 billion.

The 29 projects, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai on Twitter on Saturday, aim to improve the quality of life for Emiratis and residents.

The emirate will also build more spaces for swimming, better running paths and longer cycling lanes, he said.

“Today, we approved 29 new projects to add 8 million square meters of green spaces and gardens, at a cost of Dh2 billion, within Dubai's residential and commercial areas,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed.

“We are continuing to develop our city. We continue to improve our quality of life and we will continue to build our future.

“We also approved the development of 12 kilometres of Dubai's beaches, that cover 1 million square meters, from Mamzar Beach to Umm Suqeim II.”

He said the beach projects were being developed at a cost of Dh500m.

The project will be implemented in three phases - the first will cover 4,250 metres of beach extending from Al Mamzar Creek beach to Al Mamzar Corniche. The second phase will be to develop 2,150 metres of beach from Jumeirah Beach to Al Shorouq, and the third phase covers 6,015 metres in Umm Suqeim 1 and 2.

The project aims to revitalise the beachfront and increase swimming areas, reported state news agency Wam. Dedicated areas for water activities and jogging and cycling tracks will be provided as part of the overall plan to promote a fitness culture and healthy lifestyle among the city’s residents.

Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on the Dh100m Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary development project, which seeks to enhance the sanctuary’s ecosystem and biodiversity.

The project will increase wetlands in the sanctuary by 20 hectares and expand green cover by planting mangrove trees in a 100-hectare area. Service facilities and entertainment amenities will also be built as part of the project.

Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed a project to develop the first open garden on Al Mamzar Creek, which forms part of the Dh2 billion Green Dubai Project. Due to be built over four years, beginning next year, the project is set to add 8 million square metres of green spaces to the emirate.

“Quality of life in Dubai is the secret of loving life in Dubai,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

The emirate also recently announced plans to extend cycling paths by 88 kilometres across eight districts as part of a five-year master plan.

Priority has been given to the construction of tracks in three districts, spanning a total of 31km.

The first 16km stretch extends from Jumeirah Beach, parallel to the existing pedestrian track, passes along Al Sufouh Street before linking with the existing cycling track at the King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street.

The second 7km route runs from the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard to the cycling track on Jumeirah Street in the DIFC district and the 2nd of December Street.

The third section, which will be 8km long, links cycling tracks at Al Khawaneej and Al Warqaa through the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Tripoli Street.

There are currently 425km of cycling tracks in Dubai.

The project will extend them to 647km by 2025 as part of plans to make the city bicycle-friendly.