Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
February 10, 2025
To pedestrians in any metropolis in the world, few annoyances compare to the honking of cars, the build-up of traffic and exhaust fumes as they walk around neighbourhoods. Pollution – air or noise – is a concern for city planners worldwide. To tackle such common impediments, numerous cities have addressed the problem by instituting car-free zones, encouraging the use of public transport, and carving out more areas for parks. These measures go a long way to subtract from petty annoyances that dampen the daily, lived experiences of city dwellers.
Dubai, home to more than 3.8 million people, has also evidently been considering such options, having recently announced extensive measures to make the city better equipped for the future. By 2030, the city will house 5 million residents. This makes it imperative for authorities to continually think ahead, and plan ways to not just delight tourists and visitors and accommodate new residents but to ensure that they, as much as long-time residents, feel happy, at home and very much a part of the UAE's diverse social fabric.
Two months ago, plans were announced to make Dubai a pedestrian-friendly city. The advantages of such a plan are doubtless and plenty, not least of all for the reduced carbon emissions, the resultant better air quality and for facilitating much-needed physical exertion for residents. The "Dubai Walk Masterplan" includes a 124-kilometre long walkway with greenery. The focus is residents' health, sustainability, and increasing pedestrian and "soft mobility" – including bicycles and e-scooters – from 13 per cent to 25 per cent by 2040.
More recently, Dubai last week announced a plan to make certain neighbourhoods of the city car-free zones, as part of the The Super Block project. This is among a series of social programmes, such as child welfare, that promote social well-being and development, which is one of the top priorities of the UAE. Just last month President Sheikh Mohamed declared 2025 as the Year of Community.
When all the UAE's recent initiatives and plans are seen in concert, the underlying direction of the country comes into focus
The UAE authorities have shown an evident understanding that social bonds need space to be nurtured. "Quality of life" is a big driver of such plans, which comes down in large part to quality of life for communities – families, children, pedestrians, office goers – all of whom need parks and public squares with adequate greenery and traffic-free zones, even in the summer months. This is evident in the plans being unveiled and the allocation of generous budgets to make the UAE's cities more socially cohesive.
In a similar vein, last November, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, welcomed a new community initiative package worth Dh500 million ($136 million), for senior citizens, women and children, and to achieve social stability for all community members.
When all the UAE's recent initiatives and plans are seen in concert, the underlying direction of the country comes into focus. And when the benefits of city upgrades become clear – whether they are planned car-free zones in Dubai or already existing green spaces across Abu Dhabi – they could serve as models for more such expansion and social redevelopment across the country. The results may not be immediate. They take time to bear fruit, as with most big plans. But the positive and life-changing effects on UAE residents in the coming decades will be unmistakable.
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
England squad
Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
IF YOU GO The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895. The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay:Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors Power: 659hp Torque: 1075Nm On sale: Available for pre-order now Price: On request
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
