Dubai: Dubai is creating the mini-city of the future. Located off Shaikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah Central — with a gross floor area of 47 million square feet (4.36 million square metres) assigned to it — will be home to 35,000 residents, feature three malls and a futuristic transportation services, including “aerial gondolas”.
The intention is to set the benchmark so high when it comes to how it is conceived and built. Dubai Holding will oversee the project, which will have as many as 25 access points for entry and exit.
The project was first announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, via a tweet. The first images of what the mini-city will look like were also unveiled over Twitter.
“As our vision for future cities evolves, Dubai will continue to set the benchmark for city development,” said Shaikh Mohammad, in a statement issued by Dubai Media Office. “We will not stop investing in our economy, and these projects are tools to expedite that journey of growth.
“We are confident in the strength of our economy and are optimistic for the future of our nation.”
Further details of Jumeirah Central will be announced by Dubai Holding on Sunday (September 4).
The “district”, of which over half will be open space, will offer 1 million square feet of climate-controlled arcades for an “all-season lifestyle”. It will be connected by a cycling network that spans over 33 parks and open spaces. The district will have 25 points of vehicular access.
The location is at the place where the Mall of the World was originally meant to be. It was last week that Dubai Holding confirmed the Mall is to be relocated to a new — and more expansive — location on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, where the tourism potential can be better realised.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding, said, “Jumeriah Central is a result of extensive research into future urban development and the creation of more cohesive societies. It is a clear demonstration of our leadership’s vision, aiming to further Dubai’s global position as an attractive destination for residents and tourists alike. The uniqueness of this project will not only be a model for advanced urban development, but will also play a key role in enhancing the quality of life and in shaping future generations. All project plans and designs have been endorsed by government authorities in Dubai and we expect to start development in the coming months.”
