Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has won the Dubai International Award for Best Practices, earning recognition in the ‘Improving the Living Environment’ category.
The ceremony marking the ninth edition of the awards was organised by Dubai Municipality and the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat).
The award is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
The award acknowledges practices that contribute positively to improving the living environment. The Dubai Metro project, comprising the Red and Green Lines, emerged as the winner in recognition of its implications for public health, environment and the economy of Dubai, the RTA said in a statement.
The statement added that the Metro eased mobility within the emirate, adding 178 million commuters last year, reducing carbon footprint by as much as 220 tonnes daily, providing public transport as an alternative to private vehicles, improving the traffic conditions in some areas by 25 per cent, and boosting the value of properties around the Metro facilities by 20 per cent.
“Winning this prestigious Award is a testament to RTA’s commitment to live up to the objectives of the UAE and Dubai emirate in achieving the sustainable development of human settlements and protecting the environment as well as the public health through achievements made,” said Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of RTA Rail Agency.
