Dubai to be 60% nature reserves as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid unveils 2040 urban plan

New plan to build up five main urban centres, increase economic and recreational areas and preserve nature, to draw tourists and residents

Beaches will be extended by 400 per cent and 60 per cent of Dubai will be nature reserves under the 2040 plan. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Beaches will be extended by 400 per cent and 60 per cent of Dubai will be nature reserves under the 2040 plan. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Historical images of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Rashid, former Ruler of Dubai, at the presentation of the Dubai 2040 plan. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040, signed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at an exhibition of the Dubai 2040 plan. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, signs the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launches the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at an exhibition of the Dubai 2040 plan. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sixty per cent of Dubai will be covered in nature reserves, under the 2040 plan unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, launch the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launches the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, launch the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai 2040 plan with a move to overhaul the emirate's landscape. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040, signed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Since 1960, Dubai has implemented seven urban plans to keep up with the emirate's growing population. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, unveils the 2040 plan to overhaul the city's urban landscape. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, unveils the 2040 plan to overhaul the city's urban landscape. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Since 1960, Dubai has brought in eight urban plans to keep up with the emirate's growing population. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Latest: Everything you need to know about Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, set forward a plan to overhaul the emirate's urban landscape, dramatically increasing community, economic and recreational areas, as well as nature reserves, by 2040.

The goal, he said on Saturday during the launch of the plan, was for Dubai to become the best city to live in for the estimated 5.8 million expected to reside there in 20 years.

Areas for economic and recreational activities will grow by one and a half times, and the length of beaches will increase by 400 per cent over the next 20 years, Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter, sharing renderings of the proposed plans.

Part of those plans include vast swathes of green areas in the city, with 60 per cent of Dubai to be dedicated to nature reserves.

The emirate will be split into five main urban areas, focusing the main draws of the city to specific zones: Deira / Bur Dubai (city's historical essence), Downtown / Business Bay (global financial hub), Dubai Marina / JBR (tourism and entertainment), Expo 2020 (international gate for exhibitions and events), and Dubai Silicon Oasis (knowledge and innovation centre).

The "people-led" development aims to increase a sense of community across the emirate, designating integrated service centres in each area and improving interconnectivity by ensuring 55 per cent of the population will live within 800 metres of a main public transport station.

Spaces designated for educational and health facilities will increase by 25 per cent and areas for hotels and tourism will rise by 134 per cent.

Images of the master plan showed an area allocated for the emirate's third airport, just outside Dubai Silicon Oasis.

"The goal of the new Dubai urban plan is to plan life in [the city] over the next 20 years," Sheikh Mohammed said.

He said the plan would provide "the best and finest" quality of living for the population.

"And to prepare for the upcoming major demographic and economic developments in Dubai. We ask God to help everyone to serve the country and the people," he said.

Along with the physical plan, an Urban Planning Law was issued to support sustainable development and improvement in the emirate.

Dubai 2040 is the seventh urban plan to be brought into the emirate since 1960, 11 years before the unification of the UAE. Between then and today, the city's population has grown from 40,000 to 3.3 million.

The urban and developed areas of the emirate increased from 3.2 square kilometres to 1,490 sq km.

Under the plan, old districts will be revitalised and designated as Emirati housing.

Hatta, an area of Dubai in the eastern part of the country, is also included in Dubai 2040, with plans for a sustainable hydro-electric power plant and increasing tourism and agriculture contribution to the region's GDP by 32 per cent.

At least 78 per cent Hatta will be designated as conservation reserves, as the population is expected to double by 2040.

The plan was initially announced in October last year, with Sheikh Mohammed saying Dubai would create a dozen new beaches and 8 million square metres of green spaces at a cost of more than Dh2.5 billion ($680 million)

The 29 projects include more spaces for swimming, better running paths and longer cycling lanes

“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,” Sheikh Mohammed said at the time.

The beach projects were being developed at a cost of Dh500m.

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.

Proposed projects under the 2040 Dubai plan