Watch: Dubai's Old Baladiya Street transformed into tourist corridor
From Al Ras to Gold Souq, revitalised avenue offers immersive journey into rich heritage
Dubai: The Old Baladiya Street in Deira has undergone a transformation from a traditional thoroughfare to a bustling commercial pedestrian tourist corrdidor, thanks to a Dubai Municipality initiative to give a facelift to the area.
The civic body on Monday announced the successful completion of the Old Baladiya Street Project. Stretching from Al Ras area to the renowned Gold Souq, this revitalised street promises an immersive journey into the heart of Dubai’s rich heritage.
Located in the Al Ras area of Deira, the Old Baladiya Street links various heritage markets that overlook the banks of the Dubai Creek. These markets - including the Gold Souq, Dates Souq, Perfume Souq, Al Ras Souq, and Spices Souq - are distinctive tourist destinations that reflect Dubai’s history and the authentic identity of the UAE.
Under the project, the municipality carried out a comprehensive overhaul, including developing street paving, installation of a new gate, lighting enhancements, and the integration of heritage elements such as the iconic Al Mandus. To ensure comfort and authenticity, the street is now adorned with traditional seating areas and heritage-inspired umbrellas, offering tourists a glimpse into the historical essence of one of Dubai’s oldest areas.
Dawoud Al Hajri, director-general of Dubai Municipality, emphasised the strategic importance of the Old Municipal Street project as part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate Deira and Bur Dubai’s historic areas, as well as various heritage sites and markets across the emirate.
Al Hajri said: “We are working towards making Dubai more attractive and aesthetic by providing attractive and integrated facilities while preserving the Emirate’s historical architectural identity. This is to cement the status of Dubai as a premier global tourist destination that seamlessly merges contemporary allure with ancient cultural landmarks.”
Revival of heritage markets
He added: “Our main objective to revitalise the historic municipal street is to breathe new life into the traditional markets and landmarks of Dubai, while also enhancing the tourist experience through innovative approaches. This involves enriching the area’s visual appeal with heritage-inspired elements that capture its unique identity, integrating recreational amenities, and creating pedestrian-friendly spaces. Additionally, we aim to activate and stimulate the adjacent markets to boost tourism attraction to the region.”
Paved street closed to vehicles
He said the municipality carried out complete paving of the street, which was completely closed to vehicular traffic for smooth operations. This initiative was aimed at enriching the experience of tourists and visitors by making the area more identifiable, while also fostering commercial activity to encourage investors to expand their businesses in line with the street’s new identity.