The unveiling of Jumeirah Central — conceived as a fully self-sufficient futuristic mini-city — serves Dubai on multiple fronts.

The location off Shaikh Zayed Road will serve as the focal point of an area that has already gone through an extensive redevelopment programme and will shortly bear witness to what the Canal will be able to add to that. With Jumeirah Central, Dubai’s most prestigious district is getting a full makeover.

Redevelopment is one facet. The project will on its own propel Dubai to adopt more forward-looking development practices, a point reiterated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in multiple tweets announcing the launch of Jumeirah Central.

“The Jumeirah Central city is part of our vision for the future cities and our end goal is to make Dubai a role model for the entire world,” said one tweet by Shaikh Mohammad. “The mini-city, which will be able to accommodate 100 million visitors, will involve 37 public courts. It is the most environmentally, civilizationally balanced city.

“The Jumeirah Central city includes a stratified transportation network with tracks underground. It also includes environmentally-friendly land transportation and mid-air Tram network.

“It will provide its people with a healthy environment as 56 per cent of its total area will be open.”

Shaikh Mohammad’s announcement has also put to restin one stroke any speculation on what Dubai intends to do with the site that was to host the Mall of the World, and which has now been relocated. According to industry sources, Jumeirah Central represents the “resizing” of the original concept to better fit in with the location spread.

Market sources also said that the new district will preside over the makeover of the Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim locations, and in sync with the extension of the Canal.

The all-season Jumeirah Central will comprise 9 million square feet of retail space through three malls, 4.5 million square feet of outdoor shopping space and supported by more than 44,000 parking spaces. It will also have a tourism component with 7,200 hotel rooms — the largest number of hotel rooms centred in one district.

“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,” said Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding. “All project plans and designs have been endorsed by government authorities in Dubai and we expect to start development in the coming months.”

The project’s planning involved 19 government and private agencies, as well as international consultants over the last two years.

Source: gulfnews.com