Dubai unveils 2040 Urban Plan for sustainable development

Our Correspondent

On March 13, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan that propounds a comprehensive future map for the sustainable urban development of the emirate. The Plan plans to enhance people’s happiness and quality of life while being aligned with the UAE’s vision for the next 50 years.
According to the plan, Dubai’s competitiveness as a global destination will be enhanced by providing great lifestyle diversity and investment opportunities for citizens, residents and visitors in the next 20 years. It is part of Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to make Dubai the city that offers the world’s best quality of life through the highest standards of urban infrastructure and facilities. Sixty per cent of the emirate will be turned into natural reserves.
The Dubai Ruler remembered that the development journey was started by his father, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in the 1960s.
“Our goal is to create a truly inclusive environment that not only meets the needs of Dubai’s diverse population, but also inspires them to tap into their creative and innovative capacities and realise their true potential,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“With a clear vision and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in an evolving global environment, we continue to work to shape an even greater future rich with opportunities,” he added.
The new Master Plan is the seventh such plan developed for the emirate since 1960. Between 1960 and 2020, the population of Dubai has multiplied 80 times from 40,000 in 1960 to 3.3 million by the end of 2020. Its cultural diversity has gone up to include people from over 200 nationalities. The urban and built area of the emirate increased 170 times from 3.2 square km in the same period.
The Dubai Urban Master Plan will focus on development and investment of five main urban centres (three existing and two new centres) to support growth of economic sectors and increased job opportunities and lifestyle facilities for its diverse population. The existing urban centres include Deira and Bur Dubai, which are historic areas that highlight the emirate’s tradition and heritage. The business and financial heart of the city is in Downtown and Business Bay while the hospitality and leisure centres are in Dubai Marina and JBR or Jumeirah Beach Residences. The two new centres will be Expo 2020 Centre, an economic and growth hotspot featuring affordable housing and a focal point for the exhibitions, tourism and logistics sectors; and Dubai Silicon Oasis Centre, a science and technology and knowledge hub that drives innovation, digital economy development and talent generation.