Emaar Business Park Building No. 3, First Floor, P.O. Box 125400, Dubai (UAE)
Emaar Business Park Building No. 3, First Floor, P.O. Box 125400, Dubai (UAE)
Amid the scorched concrete of Dubai’s urban sprawl, what was once a wildlife refuge is now under a towering AED 650M restoration and eco-tourism facelift. Dubai Municipality envisions this as the gateway to implementing the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, in conjunction with the Economic Agenda D33, to enhance sustainability, biodiversity, and local engagement within one of the UAE’s most precious natural reserves.
Set at the doorstep of Dubai Creek, this wetland conservation site encompasses 6.4 km² (450 hectares) of area. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2007 and harbours around 450 species of flora and fauna, with flamingos and migratory birds taking the principal attention.
The grand redevelopment is slated for two major phases, chiefly aiming to restore the habitat and to advance the visitor experience.
Restoration of marshes, mangroves, and mudflats will improve biodiversity, maintain habitat health, and greatly enhance carbon sequestration, a focal point in Dubai’s climate objectives.
Turning this quiet wildlife reserve into a comprehensive eco-tourism site should attract up to 300,000 visitors yearly, which will undoubtedly help the people of Dubai connect with the natural world.
The project thus reflects Dubai’s long-range vision under Dubai 2040 Master Plan and Economic Agenda D33, an era ranking the emirate among the world’s top tourism destinations with a superb quality of life.
Recognised as being extraordinary in size and design, the project has already won seven international and regional design recognitions. It sets worldwide standards for the integration of nature in urban environments.
Reality: Well, in this situation, the refuge is partially restricted for necessary construction work, but significant parts of the sanctuary are available.
Reality: Given that restoration is at the crux of deep, ecological involvement, and new visitor infrastructure constitutes a new approach, the following discussion should detail this two-phased massive intervention—and not the renovation implied by an ‘upgrade’ that might do little to exchange operating systems.
This prestigious makeover of a sanctuary for the wondrous wildlife at Ras Al-Thor by Dubai, a commitment of AED 650 million, signifies a bold step in sustainable urban development. With features improving biodiversity, eco-tourism, and public engagement, this sanctuary should now rise to the level of a world-class nature destination. It strikes a balance between making too much progress on one side and prioritising preservation; the journey truly needs to be closely monitored!
