Dubai, between sky and land: the pedestrian revolution underway
A visionary plan
Firstly, this visionary plan involves the construction of 3,300 km of new footpaths and the rehabilitation of 2,300 km of existing footpaths by 2040. Once completed, a further 900 km will be developed after 2040. At the same time, 110 pedestrian bridges and tunnels will be built to improve connectivity between neighborhoods. The plan also includes the creation of 112 km of waterside paths, 124 km of green alleys and 150 km of rural footpaths. Two key routes stand out: the “Al Ras”, a 15 km route that will connect historic monuments while revitalizing 5 km of waterfront, and the “Future Loop”, a 2 km elevated walkway around the Museum of the Future, complemented by a 30,000 m² air-conditioned zone, making walking enjoyable even in the hottest months. In addition, the project aims to encourage soft modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, increasing their share of urban travel from 13% to 25% by 2040. To achieve this, Dubai is adopting practices inspired by “20-minute city” models, following the example of Melbourne and Paris. This approach guarantees that 80% of residents' daily needs - schools, shops and workplaces - will be accessible on foot or by bicycle in less than 20 minutes.
Thus, the heart of the Dubai Walk Masterplan is to transform the city's streets into living spaces accessible to all. The main objective is to reduce dependence on motorized vehicles by creating a dense network of pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths and green spaces. In addition to the objectives already mentioned, solar benches, low-energy lighting systems and intelligent infrastructures will be installed to enhance user comfort. In parallel, the project also includes “quiet zones”, areas where cars will be prohibited, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy parks, open-air cafés and cultural areas without noise or pollution.
A vital response to climate change
Without doubt, transforming Dubai into a pedestrian city is about more than just cosmetic improvements. It is a concrete response to environmental challenges, including reducing CO2 emissions and combating the effects of urban heat islands. To this extent, the project is in line with the United Arab Emirates' commitments to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Let's not forget that the country is fully exposed to the consequences of climate change and must do everything in its power to adapt. With this project, Dubai is positioning itself as a model for other major cities in the region, such as Riyadh. The city is demonstrating that urban innovation must meet the needs of the population while taking into account the global challenges of climate change. This plan is not just a milestone in Dubai's development; it resonates as a call to rethink the way in which the city and its inhabitants lives.
Sources :
https://www.dezeen.com/2024/12/17/dubai-walk-masterplan-pedestrian/
https://lepetitjournal.com/dubai/dubai-record-17-millions-visiteurs-2023-378531
