Dubai: In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the emirate’s position as an international cultural destination and transform it into a global capital of creative economy by 2025, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has issued directives to exempt tenants who are rebuilding or renovating their properties in Al Quoz Creative Zone from rents for up to two years.
The move is part of the framework of the 100-day plan for the Al Quoz Creative Zone development project that aims to transform the area into a comprehensive integrated creative zone that attracts talent from across the world.
The 100-day plan for Al Quoz Creative Zone launched by the project’s higher committee headed by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and a member of the Dubai Council, has identified priority actions to be undertaken to develop the zone. It has also set goals and indicators to advance the project’s two pillars: Infrastructure and support for creatives.
Specially-designed urban space
At the infrastructure level, the plan includes the development of the project’s masterplan that will create a specially-designed urban space that can accommodate all activities, investment, and people related to the project. As part of implementing the vision for the project, a unique model for optimally distributing living, working and creative public spaces will be developed based on a comparative study of similar zones around the world. Key categories of activities related to the creative industries sector will be identified and permits that will be given in the Al Quoz Creative Zone will be listed.
‘Creatives’ Journey’
As part of providing support to the creative community, the plan has created a dedicated platform called the ‘Creatives’ Journey’ within the ‘Invest in Dubai’ platform to support the business operations of creatives and provide a single window to get licences for their projects in Dubai within a few minutes. By providing incentives for creatives to establish and develop their businesses, the platform supports the effort to transform industrial land into areas for creative activities.
Transportation facilities
The plan also seeks to provide soft-mobility solutions for the people in the zone. Transportation facilities connecting Al Safa Metro Station to Al Quoz Creative Zone will be developed. This will feature a bus route with special designs. Initial designs for street signage will also be developed. In addition, consultancy contracts have been awarded to develop the best Integration and soft-mobility solutions in the Al Quoz Creative Zone that will include street furniture, cycle tracks, pedestrian bridge with a unique design, pedestrian sidewalks, micro-mobility, activity areas. Moreover, coordination with the landlords and investors is conducted to explain the new opportunities provided in the area.
Dubai Culture is inviting members of the creative community to share ideas and creative suggestions for designs that can enhance the aesthetic and artistic ambience of the area.
To date, Dubai Culture has awarded 4,500 certificates of accreditation to creatives and artists of different nationalities. This is part of a plan to expand the issuance of the world’s first long-term cultural visa to maximise the contribution of talent to the development of Dubai’s cultural economy.
