The latest Dubai megadevelopment is to be a 47 million square foot mixed-use district called Jumeirah Central with "world-leading" infrastructure, according to an announcement by the government of the emirate on Saturday.
When the final phase is completed, Jumeirah Central will be home to 35,000 residents and three shopping malls covering 9 million square feet. These will be connected by a comprehensive cycling network that spans 33 parks and green spaces as well as aerial gondolas.
It will also contain schools, offices, 7,200 hotel rooms, a "smart police service" and community amenities.
A statement from Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emir of Dubai, said the district would "introduce new international standards in city planning that are able to balance requirements from an environmental, urban development and societal perspective".
He said: "As our vision for future cities evolves, Dubai will continue to set the benchmark for city development across the globe.
"Jumeriah Central is a clear milestone in our journey towards building the city of the future and the creation of engaged and happy communities.
"We will not stop investing in our economy, and these projects are tools to expedite that journey of growth. We are confident in the strength of our economy and are optimistic for the future of our nation."
The Jumeirah Central masterplan was the product of two years of collaborative work between more than 19 public and private agencies, as well as international experts and consultants under the leadership of Dubai Holding.
Dubai Holding has previously worked on the "Mall of the World" and the tallest twin towers in the world.
Image: The Dubai skyline (Wikimedia Commons/Imre Solt)
