Fig 2.17: A master plan for Dubai Marina (Source: www.Skyscrapercity.com) Size, location and function
Dubai Marina is one of the first urban megaprojects in Dubai. It covers 300 ha and includes more than 300 towers. It is designed to accommodate more than 120,000 people. The artificial 3.5 km canal with a 7 km pedestrian promenade is at the core of the plan design.
The project includes residential towers, the Marina Mall, a Yacht Club, and ‘Jumeirah Beach Residence’, a sub-project built in only one phase. ‘The Walk’ – a cornice promenade within the project – is deemed to be one of the best public spaces in Dubai. The project boasts several world records and spectacle elements such as the highest residential tower, the largest man-made marina, and the ‘Tallest Block’, consisting of a block of high towers reaching 350 meters.
Development argument:
Fig 2.18: Plan showing the connection points linking the project to the city
Dubai Marina is considered to be ‘one of the first and largest waterfront developments in the region’. It was planned to be the core and the catalyst for the development of the Jumeirah region at the end of the 20th century, when the major development of the city was occurring around the old center and along Sheikh Zayed Road. With its towers, luxurious residences and retail facilities, mixed use spaces and ‘public’ promenade, Dubai Marina is now considered the new center of Dubai.
Fig 2.19: An aerial view of Dubai Marina. (Source: www.finatep.ae.com)
3.2.1.2 City)of)Arabia))
Fig 2.20: A master plan for City of Arabia project. (Source: www.2daydubai.com)
Size, location and functions:
City of Arabia consists of luxury residential, retail, office and entertainment functions. It is located on the gateway to Dubailand, an impressive planned agglomeration of megaprojects in the inland at the periphery of the urbanized zones of Dubai. Covering an area of 185 ha, it is planned to accommodate 33,000 people and is to serve a catchment area of 1.8 million people. The project includes three zones: the towers zone with up to 50 floors, the Mall of Arabia, ‘one of the largest malls of the world’, with more than 1000 diverse retail outlets, and an entertainment destination designed to draw more than 20,000 visitors per day. The third part is the Wadi Walk, a waterfront community with luxurious apartments, outdoor cafes and retail spaces.
Fig 2.21: A plan showing the connection points that link City of Arabia to its surrounds Development argument:
The project’s website describes the atmosphere as similar to London’s Covent Garden or a Parisian street scene. An 8 km canal is the main feature of this zone, with water taxis electronically powered. A monorail serves the project and will connect its parts to a future metro station. These elements contribute to the creation of a luxurious image of a self-sufficient and introverted project, in the inland desert, far from the densely urbanised cores.
Fig 2.22: Aerial view showing the different parts of City of Arabia
3.2.1.3 Jumeirah)Lake)Towers)
Fig 2.23: A master plan for JLT. (Source: www.Skyscrapercity.com) Size, location and functions:
JLT is located along Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite Dubai Marina. It covers 200 ha and consists of a mixed-use development with high towers containing residential, office, retail and other functions. It is designed for a population of 60,000. Situated in the heart of new Dubai, JLT, as a free zone, hosts more than 5500 registered companies. JLT has more than 80 towers with height up to 150m and one 250m high centerpiece, ‘Almas Tower’. The project features a pedestrian promenade along the shores of the lakes.
Fig 2.24: A plan showing the connection points that links JLT to its surrounds.
Development argument:
JLT is promoted as the ‘ideal place to live, work, and play’ and a place that is designed ‘for a dynamic lakefront community’ living in a luxurious atmosphere. It is a megaproject that is planned to complement – or compete with – Dubai Marina as a core for a metropolitan area, albeit with more flexible laws, being a free zone.
Fig 2.25: Aerial view of JLT. (Source: www:skyscrapercity.com)
3.2.1.4 Green)Community)
Fig 2.26: A Master Plan for the project Green Community (West). (Source:
www.skyscrapercity.com) Size, location and functions:
Green Community (West)20 is located near Jebel Ali free zone, to the south west of Dubai.
It comprises 67 ha of residential properties and functions such as leisure, retail and commercial. It is constituted from low-rise buildings and private villas. It encompasses landscaped gardens for the residents, and internal stone streets. The project is for a population of 5000 people.
20 This is to differentiate it from Green Community East, another phase of the same project
Fig 2.27: A plan showing the connection points that links Green Community west to its surrounds.
Development argument:
The development prides itself on its modern and landscaped surroundings with natural greenery being the ‘key to peace and tranquility’ and a unique way of living outside the city, within a working and living secure community. Constituting a relatively traffic free environment, Green Community West aims at providing a secure green and pleasant atmosphere.
Fig 2.28: View inside Green Community west. (Source: www.Skyscrapercity.com)
As it was explained in the introductive paragraph, the case studies were selected to cover a variety of aspects related to location, connectivity and contents. Table 2.4 shows main information about these projects. We note mainly the difference in scale and population.
However, the content for all projects is constituted of mixed-use functions. Dubai Marina and City of Arabia may have similar elements that contribute to the creation of a mixed-use luxurious content. From the other side, Jumeirah Lake Towers’s image is a Free Zone one that is mainly centered on business activities. Green Community is a residential project with a gated community aspect, offering the image of a car free and green private environment.
Table 2.5: Projects’ information brief