Divisibility and phasing are common aspects of the four megaprojects analysed. Dubai Marina, for instance, was implemented in several phases. Moreover, Jumeirah Beach Residence, or JBR, is part of Dubai Marina project while constituting an independent phase and project in its own right. In JLT, the project, even if built through one phase, is in general divided into four main parts, and the infrastructure and diverse networks operate separately in each part. The plan of City of Arabia is divided into five parts. Only two, hosting the commercial mall, are currently under construction, while the rest of the residential waterfronts are still on hold. It is to be noted, that commercial buildings are built in a first place, before the residential component, as a strategy that ensures providing a first image of a project that is ‘working’, with a low level of risks compared to residential and offices buildings.
Table 2.8: Table briefing the divisibility aspects in the four case studies
City%of%Arabia Dubai%Marina Green%Community%West Jumeirah%Lake%Towers
Green Community West is itself a phase of a larger residential project, the latter being in turn a part of a larger investment park. As said previously, the divisibility of plans is a strategy in managing the complexity and uncertainty of projects. Proceeding by phases is clearly a feature of building in all four projects analysed. Moreover, the availability of various uses constitutes a strategy to minimize possible risks.
Fig 2.29: Above: The four lakes in JLT project in 2012. Middle: One lake backfilled and transformed to children playground in 2014. Below: Landscaped playground (2015). (Source:
Google Earth)
For instance, it is clear that in Dubai Marina there are parts that are more ‘successful’ than others, as for example the eastern part of the project that hosts the tallest block and the majority of cafes, restaurants and activities. Compared to the rest of the project where the residential functions dominate, the viability of the different parts of the project varies significantly.
Another telling example of flexible plan design is the case of JLT, divided into four parts surrounding four artificial lakes. One of the lakes has been a topic for debate, because the residents have claimed more practical common spaces. The lake was backfilled and transformed into a green park serving as promenade and playground space for children (Fig.
2.29).
Through these constant modifications of the plans, we can notice elements that provide unity and stability for the project, such as the podiums that ensure continuity at the ground floor level, even with a variety of forms at the tower level.
The backfilled lake is an example of both flexibility of design and stability, where the lake borders have remained the same with no impact on the surrounding lots, however it is the filling of this shape that has modified its function. Thus, even if for each master plan there are various versions, we can note that the main elements remain common and stable from the early versions. This is the case for the main green or water bodies, and the major grid lines.
4 Conclusion)
We have focused in this chapter on the morphological characteristics of Urban Megaprojects in Dubai. We aimed, through analysing the morphology-related aspects, to understand UMPs, first as objects, and second as constitutive parts of the city.
At a general level, we have drawn a comparison between Dubai UMPs as perceived in literature and our corpus’s analysis. We have, for the literature representation, set two categories of characteristics; the ones that are related to the governance and the ones that are related to the morphology. From the other side, our analysis of 36 surveyed UMPs aimed at adding an advanced layer to the literature representation that can be described as general and sometimes superficial.
The second part of the chapter has focused on a close urban morphology analysis, where four case studies have been analysed. Megaprojects are becoming a worldwide phenomena, however, there are no studies that focus exclusively on the urban morphology of these developments, even if morphology-related aspects are at the core of their iconicity and search for spectacle. We have gone through a quick overview of the different types of approaches in urban morphology, and we have explained that the objectives of our analysis will be met through an approach that analyses the urban form as the form of urban layouts.
Aspects such as iconicity, relation to the city and managing complexity can be best understood through this approach. It was shown that UMPs in Dubai are clearly designed to offer images of iconicity, through the specific detail of plans and their forms, water and green elements and records.
Analysing the connectivity to the city has shown that UMPs are closed to their immediate context but well connected to the city through sophisticated and diversified infrastructure, consolidating the idea that these UMPs are addressed to a globalized population and not to local specific needs.
It was shown also that urban form is a tool by which these complex UMPs are managed.
The divisibility of a project is a prime strategy used to control the evolution of its development phase. It is a means through which projects can be evaluated, assessed and modified as they are being implemented.
From another side, it can be argued that morphological aspects of megaprojects constitute elements of specific governance in Dubai, in the context of UMPs implementation. First, through aspects of iconicity, actors –who are most often within the Sheikh’s limited circle of partners and family members - seek legitimacy, by presenting themselves as protectors of a modern and competitive image of the city.
Second, through divisibility and flexibility, both developers and regulatory authorities find means to manage and control the complexity of megaprojects and to integrate recurrent modifications, divisions and adjustments to buildings, roads and open spaces, without compromising the image of a project. These aspects related to governance and management will be further developed in chapter three.