Dubai Roads awards the contract for the first phase of the comprehensive plan to develop urban paths in the historic Al Ras area

In implementation of the directives of the wise leadership (may God protect it), to transform Dubai into a pedestrian-friendly city throughout the year, and to achieve a qualitative leap in the level of pedestrian paths and facilities at the emirate level, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has awarded the contract for the first phase of the comprehensive plan project to develop pedestrian paths (Dubai Walk), in the Al Ras area, and includes the implementation of the historic Al Ras path with a length of 12 kilometers of pedestrian paths, 5 kilometers of bicycle paths, and the rehabilitation of 10 artistic spaces, in coordination with the Culture and Arts Authority and with the participation of Emirati and local artists.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “The comprehensive pedestrian plan contributes to enhancing the global competitiveness of the Emirate of Dubai in terms of pedestrian facilities and individual transportation, and achieving one of the goals of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040, which is the twenty-minute city, by providing infrastructure to reach more than 80% of services for residents within twenty minutes of commuting, supporting the Quality of Life Strategy 2033, improving the quality of life of community members, transforming Dubai into a pedestrian-friendly city, and improving the level of traffic safety for pedestrians.” And linking the different areas with the current pedestrian paths, introducing the creative, aesthetic and cultural element into the individual transportation elements, highlighting the identity of the different regions to improve the aesthetic appearance, beautifying the squares in the Emirate of Dubai, enhancing joint work with strategic partners in developing creative elements in infrastructure and transportation facilities, activating the role of youth and highlighting future trends in the field of transportation through their participation in proposing creative ideas in the design of pedestrian paths and facilities.”

Strengthening connectivity between regions

He added: “The comprehensive plan for developing pedestrian paths (Dubai Walk) includes developing a comprehensive structural plan for an integrated network of pedestrian paths that are easy to access, meet safety standards, and have a comfortable environment for pedestrians. It includes developing a network of pedestrian paths in 160 areas, which includes implementing and developing 6,000 kilometers of pedestrian paths across the emirate until 2040, and implementing 110 pedestrian bridges and tunnels to enhance connectivity between regions, with the aim of increasing the proportion of pedestrian trips and individual transportation from… 16% in 2025 to 25% by 2040.”

Al Ras Historical Trail

The Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors explained that the Al-Ras Historic Path Project in the Al-Ras region includes the implementation of 12-kilometre-long pedestrian paths, and five-km-long bicycle paths, and will connect the most important historical landmarks in the region, the most important of which are: Al-Ahmadiyya School, the House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the public library in Al-Ras, Al-Fahidi Fort, and the historic Al-Shindagha neighborhood. It will also be linked to mass transit stations, and includes 11 metro stations, public transportation buses, and marine transportation, with the aim of enhancing First and last mile trips, encouraging residents and visitors to use public transportation, and providing a unique transportation experience in the region.

He continued: “The project includes developing the internal pedestrian paths and the waterfront path through simple urban designs that take into account the preservation of the historical nature of the area, and include expanding pedestrian sidewalks, implementing shading elements, adding rest areas, increasing green spaces, and guidance aids with designs that suit the nature of the area. The project also includes the rehabilitation of 10 art spaces, where the Roads and Transport Authority, in coordination with the Culture and Arts Authority, participates with Emirati artists to display artistic works that vary between murals and models, in addition to using modern techniques in cosmetic lighting that highlight history and culture.” The joint works between the two sides also aim to activate the path and revive the areas located on it with artistic programs and ongoing seasonal events after the completion of the project work.”

Comprehensive pedestrian plan

It should be noted that the comprehensive pedestrian plan includes the implementation and development of more than 6,000 kilometers of pedestrian paths, interconnected and continuous at the emirate level. The first phase of the project will be implemented in the period from 2025 to 2027, and the project will be implemented in phases, extending from 2027 to 2040. The plan also includes the implementation of 110 pedestrian bridges and tunnels, to connect urban areas, the most important of which is a bridge on Al Ittihad Street, linking the two Al Nahda areas. Al Mamzar, a bridge on Tripoli Street, linking the Al Warqaa and Mirdif areas, a bridge on Al Khawaneej Street, linking the Mushrif and Al Khawaneej areas, and a bridge on Dubai – Al Ain Road, linking Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubailand.

The project contributes to achieving a complete connection between attractions, public facilities and various means of transportation, consolidating the identity and artistic character of the paths, and designing a special identity for each area, through different shapes, colours, lighting and landscaping, so that pedestrians feel transported from one area to another.

The paths were taken into account to improve the pedestrian environment, by providing complementary elements to beautify the city, such as intensifying afforestation and shading on the paths, using misting systems to reduce the temperature on the paths, and providing interactive paths that include screens, panels, floor graphics, and sports and entertainment equipment, encouraging residents and visitors to walk, providing rest houses and commercial investment spaces, ensuring easy access to the paths and raising the level of traffic safety, and designing a qualitative guidance system, with a distinctive design for floor signs, signboards, and lighting. Sustainable platforms, integrated sidewalks, artwork, and adding routes to navigation systems and smart applications.