2024-08-04 12:07:55
The megaproject for the transformation of the 6.6-kilometer sandy strip, which will be divided into 3 with different accents, has started. A special area is provided for educational projects and initiatives
A mega project to transform Jebel Ali Beach and make it Dubai’s longest public beach began in early July, media in the United Arab Emirates revealed. The start of the ambitious project was announced personally by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.
The intention is that when the beach opens, visitors – locals and tourists alike – will have a 2km swimming area, a 2.5km water sports and diving area, with a promenade along which viewing platforms will be located and with entertainment areas for all ages. The total area of the beach will be 330 hectares.
“The Jebel Ali Beach Development Project is part of a wider master plan for the development of public beaches in the emirate aimed at increasing the total length of beaches by 400%. This includes adding new public beaches, improving existing ones and equipping them with new recreational, sports, aesthetic and investment facilities as envisaged in the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040,” Sheikh Hamdan, 41, announced during the launch of July 7. The crown prince added that the government is determined to provide a host of urban opportunities for locals and tourists, including beaches, open spaces and green spaces for recreation, to improve the quality of life and
Dubai to become the best city to live in the world
5 km of the beach will be developed by the largest property company in Dubai, and 1.6 km will be the responsibility of the municipality.
The plan states that the area features a unique ecosystem due to the presence of mangroves that enhance the environment and provide habitats for many animal species. The design of the beach will combine the eccentric boho-chic style with shapes reflecting the marine and desert nature. It will allow optimal use of the site, which allows for the preservation of the ecosystem and the enrichment of the visitor experience, the project developers claim.
The beach will be divided into three distinct spaces with different thematic accents. The first, called “The Pearl”, is located on the right side near the entrance to the artificial island of Palm Jebel Ali. This location will be the main center for beach and leisure activities with opportunities for family entertainment, sports activities, swimming pool and playgrounds. “The Pearl” will also have a beach club with a pool and a private beach for a fee, several restaurants, cafes, shops and a floating restaurant.
The second space, whose name is the “Sanctuary”, will be a refuge for turtles that lay their eggs there. This area gives the highest priority to the protection of the environment, while at the same time offering recreational and sports activities, but only on a minimal scale. There, visitors will be able to observe the turtles in their natural environment.
“The Nest” is the third dedicated space that will offer a combination of educational initiatives and environmental protection. It will be located in the mangrove area and will include an ecological center for research and awareness on biodiversity, turtle conservation and environmental protection and climate change programmes. This will be the most green part of the beach. The goal of the entire project is to establish a natural connection with nature and, regardless of the entertainment part, to focus on efforts to protect it.
The complex will be connected to the general infrastructure by a two-lane road in both directions. 1000 car parking spaces will be equipped, but at the same time
emphasis will be placed on environmentally friendly transport
Within the 330 hectares, a bicycle lane, 80 bicycle racks and a 5-kilometer running lane will be built. At the moment, it is not announced what the cost of the reconstruction will be.
A month before the announcement of the Jebel Ali beach megaproject, it became clear that the reconstruction of other public beaches in the emirate was also starting. A floating bridge will connect the two sides of Al Mamzar Beach, it was announced on June 3. The 200-meter pedestrian bridge will be the first of its kind in Dubai. It will allow visitors to walk almost at water level without getting wet. There will also be development on the public beach of Jumeirah 1. In both places, an infrastructure with showers and toilets will be built, with playgrounds for children, areas with barbecues and extensive parking lots.
The beaches will remain partially closed while they are reconstructed. The parts that remain open will have additional safety measures put in place to protect visitors.
Last year, Dubai announced an ambitious project to expand its coastline by 400 percent, with residents and tourists able to explore 105 kilometers of public beaches – five times the current 21 kilometers. The emirate has 8 public beaches, some of which were renovated last year.
New 100 million mangrove trees will be planted along the coast
Lush greenery could take up to 15 years to cover Dubai’s 72km of coastline under another plan unveiled in May this year. The project, called “Dubai mangrove trees”, envisages the planting of more than 100 million representatives of this species, which can thrive in salty waters and strengthen the beach.
Dubai-based sustainable urban planning company URB announced that the project, which is currently in the research and development stage, will be realized by 2040 in six phases.
Design images published by the company,
show boardwalks over mangroves,
biospheres, beach parks and social spaces. The project includes a visitor center, a botanical museum and a conservation center for nature reserves. If implemented, the large-scale ecotourism project would include guided nature walks, educational programs and conservation activities. It also has the potential to create 10,000 green jobs, the developer claims.
6 pilot locations have been selected and they are Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Markato and Dubai Islands beaches.
“Each of these locations offers different conditions that are essential for testing different innovative methods of coastal regeneration and ensuring that the project adapts to different local needs,” says URB Executive Director Baharash Bagherian. “Our focus at this time is solely on conducting design studies to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the project before seeking government approvals and partnerships based on these findings.”
The company envisions using drones and artificial intelligence-based technology to restore mangroves.
The drones will be equipped to plant mangrove seeds,
while satellite imagery allows expansion efforts to be tracked. AI-driven analytics will help predict outcomes and guide recovery efforts. “At the heart of this initiative are mangroves, known for their unique ability to absorb harmful emissions from the atmosphere, protect coastal areas from erosion and support marine life and food security. With the capacity to absorb approximately 12.3 kg of CO2 per year per tree, the entire project could “neutralize” 1.23 million tonnes of CO2 each year – which is equivalent to removing the CO2 emitted by more than 260,000 petrol passenger vehicles each year “, the developers point out.
Earlier, the URB unveiled plans for a sustainable floating community for marine research, regeneration and eco-tourism called “Dubai Reefs”. Another project proposes a 93-kilometer climate-controlled bicycle highway around Dubai.
