Dubai to get new public beaches and green spaces under Dh2bn plan


Gillian Duncan
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Dubai will create a dozen new beaches and millions of square metres of green spaces at a cost of more than Dh2.5 billion.

The 29 projects, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai on Twitter on Saturday, aim to improve the quality of life for Emiratis and residents.

The emirate will also build more spaces for swimming, better running paths and longer cycling lanes, he said.

“Today, we approved 29 new projects to add 8 million square meters of green spaces and gardens, at a cost of Dh2 billion, within Dubai's residential and commercial areas,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed.

“We are continuing to develop our city. We continue to improve our quality of life and we will continue to build our future.

“We also approved the development of 12 kilometres of Dubai's beaches, that cover 1 million square meters, from Mamzar Beach to Umm Suqeim II.”

He said the beach projects were being developed at a cost of Dh500m.

The project will be implemented in three phases - the first will cover 4,250 metres of beach extending from Al Mamzar Creek beach to Al Mamzar Corniche. The second phase will be to develop 2,150 metres of beach from Jumeirah Beach to Al Shorouq, and the third phase covers 6,015 metres in Umm Suqeim 1 and 2.

We continue to improve our quality of life and we will continue to build our future

The project aims to revitalise the beachfront and increase swimming areas, reported state news agency Wam. Dedicated areas for water activities and jogging and cycling tracks will be provided as part of the overall plan to promote a fitness culture and healthy lifestyle among the city’s residents.

Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on the Dh100m Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary development project, which seeks to enhance the sanctuary’s ecosystem and biodiversity.

The project will increase wetlands in the sanctuary by 20 hectares and expand green cover by planting mangrove trees in a 100-hectare area. Service facilities and entertainment amenities will also be built as part of the project.

Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed a project to develop the first open garden on Al Mamzar Creek, which forms part of the Dh2 billion Green Dubai Project. Due to be built over four years, beginning next year, the project is set to add 8 million square metres of green spaces to the emirate.

“Quality of life in Dubai is the secret of loving life in Dubai,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

The emirate also recently announced plans to extend cycling paths by 88 kilometres across eight districts as part of a five-year master plan.

Priority has been given to the construction of tracks in three districts, spanning a total of 31km.

The first 16km stretch extends from Jumeirah Beach, parallel to the existing pedestrian track, passes along Al Sufouh Street before linking with the existing cycling track at the King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street.

The second 7km route runs from the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard to the cycling track on Jumeirah Street in the DIFC district and the 2nd of December Street.

The third section, which will be 8km long, links cycling tracks at Al Khawaneej and Al Warqaa through the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Tripoli Street.

There are currently 425km of cycling tracks in Dubai.

The project will extend them to 647km by 2025 as part of plans to make the city bicycle-friendly.

Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 626bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh1,050,000

On sale: now

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019