Jumeirah Beach 1 is central to the Dubai development plan. Getty images
Jumeirah Beach 1 is central to the Dubai development plan. Getty images
Jumeirah Beach 1 is central to the Dubai development plan. Getty images
Jumeirah Beach 1 is central to the Dubai development plan. Getty images

Dubai to bolster beach defences against climate change as part of Dh355m strategy


Daniel Bardsley
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai has set out plans to protect beaches against the impact of climate change as part of a Dh355 million ($96.7 million) project.

The emirate will seek to turn the tide against the threat of extreme weather by using more than half a million cubic metres of sand to strengthen natural defences at Al Mamzar and Jumeirah 1 beaches.

This will help to guard against rising sea levels caused by climate change, which are expected to affect coastal cities around the world.

The sustainable development drive is central to a wider programme for both beaches, under the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

You're trying to mimic nature by recreating a sandy beach rather than putting concrete on it
Prof Gerd Masselink,
a professor of coastal geomorphology at the University of Plymouth

The move, scheduled for completion in 18 months, comes after experts assessed how best to safeguard the coastline

Nature the first line of defence

Gerd Masselink, a professor of coastal geomorphology at the University of Plymouth in the UK, said there were two ways to deal with coastline challenges posed by changing weather patterns.

One is to use “hard engineering” structures such as sea walls, rock revetments (blocks linked together) or groynes which prevent beach material from moving along the coast.

The other, which is the approach being taken by the Dubai government, is to take a “soft-engineering” approach, of which “beach nourishment”, in this case adding sand, is a leading method.

“It's increasingly used because it's in the forefront of soft-engineering or nature-based solutions,” Prof Masselink said.

“You're trying to mimic nature by recreating a sandy beach rather than putting concrete on it.”

He said in the Netherlands, for example, this was the preferred approach, with sand being dredged from the North Sea and added to the coastline. The Maldives is another part of the world where this happens, with islands raised so they are more resilient.

“[It is] very widely used to combat coastal erosion, particularly in the face of climate change and sea level rise,” he said.

He said this method often had knock-on benefits because, over time, a proportion of the sand would be moved away from the area where it had been deposited and would strengthen neighbouring locations.

Soft-engineering strategies are now “more important and relevant”, in line with thinking around coastal protection becoming “a lot more joined-up”.

“It's not just solving a small local problem, but you have in mind neighbouring areas that may be affected,” Prof Masselink said.

“You're taking a much longer term view rather than solving a problem for the next 10 to 20 years with, at the back of your mind, the rise in sea levels for the next 50 years.”

The plan will be co-ordinated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and First Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Revamping public beaches

Al Mamzar and Jumeirah 1 beaches will be developed in a project that spans 5.7km (4.3km at Al Mamzar and 1.4km at Jumeirah 1).

The scheme aims to boost tourism and cater to the influx of beachgoers, sports enthusiasts and night swimmers. Dubai’s first beach dedicated to 24/7 night swimming, spanning 300 metres, will be established in Deira.

It will be carried out while keeping the beaches partially open to the public.

Additional features include a 5km pedestrian path, connecting 11km of cycling and running tracks surrounded by trees, and a 200-metre floating bridge connecting both sides of Al Mamzar Beach.

There will be 1,400 parking spaces for cars and buses, including charging stations for eco-friendly vehicles in addition to integrated networks for drinking water stations, irrigation systems and sewage drainage systems spanning 5km.

Beach rescue services will use the latest AI-assisted technology, with enhanced surveillance through more than 100 modern cameras linked to the central control rooms of Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police.

More than 50 investment opportunities will be offered, including water activity rentals, commercial outlets and kiosks, restaurants, self-service food and beverage machines, and advertising spaces.

The plan aims to develop all beaches by 100 per cent, enhance public beach services by 400 per cent, and increase night swimming beach lengths by 56 per cent, the equivalent of 450 metres.

The length of cycling tracks will increase by 285 per cent, equivalent to 15.15km, and running tracks by 125 per cent, equivalent to 11km.

Facilities for disabled people will be provided in line with international best practices.

It aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033.

It comes after the completion of a number of public beach projects in Dubai last year. These included Al Mamzar Corniche, Jumeirah Corniche, Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah 3 and Umm Suqeim 1.

In May 2023, Dubai unveiled a major plan to develop 54km of beaches around Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Jumeirah and Al Mamzar, and a new beach at Jebel Ali.

The new projects, launched by the Ruler of Dubai, included the development of enclosed beach areas, walkways, cafes and dining areas.

Dubai beach project - in pictures

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Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

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South Korea

2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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Rating: 5/5

Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Afro%20salons
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

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Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle

In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches 

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
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Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:

1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Rating: 3/5

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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
%3Cp%3EFly%20with%20Etihad%20Airways%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20JFK.%20There's%2011%20flights%20a%20week%20and%20economy%20fares%20start%20at%20around%20Dh5%2C000.%3Cbr%3EStay%20at%20The%20Mark%20Hotel%20on%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20Upper%20East%20Side.%20Overnight%20stays%20start%20from%20%241395%20per%20night.%3Cbr%3EVisit%20NYC%20Go%2C%20the%20official%20destination%20resource%20for%20New%20York%20City%20for%20all%20the%20latest%20events%2C%20activites%20and%20openings.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn

Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
While you're here
World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

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Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung

How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever

Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays

How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen

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Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETerra%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hussam%20Zammar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%20funding%20of%20%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Updated: June 04, 2024, 10:36 AM`