His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the Dubai Walk Master Plan (Dubai Walk), a visionary initiative aimed at transforming Dubai into a pedestrian-friendly city. The plan was approved in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of the United Arab Emirates.
Accessibility, security, and a comfortable walking experience are prioritized in the Dubai Walk Master Plan. With more green space and unhindered paths, it will produce a unique integrated network of walkways.
His Majesty According to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, improving Dubai’s standard of living is still a top priority for the emirate’s strategic plan. He underlined that the development of a distinctive, modern destination and innovative infrastructure projects show off Dubai’s global renown and firmly establish it as the best place to travel, live, and work.
His Highness said: “We have approved the Dubai Walk Master Plan, a 6,500 km network of modern walkways covering 160 areas across the emirate. The plan includes constructing 3,300 km of new walkways and rehabilitating 2,300 km of existing ones by 2040, in addition to more than 900 km of walkways planned beyond 2040. It also involves developing 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses to enhance connectivity. This ambitious plan aims to increase pedestrian and soft mobility from 13% to 25% by 2040.”
His Highness added: “Dubai is a city of the future, committed to creating a healthy and happy urban environment. The Dubai Walk Master Plan promotes active lifestyles and provides exercise opportunities for all, making walking a central part of our culture and daily lives. This vision will position Dubai as one of the world’s healthiest and most sustainable cities.”
His Highness reviewed the Dubai Walk Master Plan, which outlines development strategies for paths through 2040 and sets architectural principles to ensure seamless integration with each area’s own character.
Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and CEO, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Dubai Sports Council Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Chairperson, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of His Highness Other high-ranking officials include Mohammed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; and the Dubai Ruler’s Court.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was greeted to the Master Plan launch near the Museum of the Future by Mattar Al Tayer, the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors. Al Tayer provided a comprehensive summary of the Dubai Walk Master Plan and its potential to enhance Dubai’s reputation as a global center for soft transportation and pedestrian traffic.
In keeping with the Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s “20-Minute City” goal, which states that 80% of residents should be able to reach essential services in a 20-minute commute, the Dubai Walk Master Plan aims to make Dubai a pedestrian-friendly city. The concept is to enhance pedestrian safety, link locations with existing sidewalks, and include artistic and cultural elements into soft mobility infrastructure in order to reflect each area’s unique personality. In addition to encouraging students to contribute original ideas for amenities and pathway design, it also promotes cooperation with key partners to develop innovative infrastructure solutions.
To develop a network of 6,500 km connected paths, 3,300 km of new walkways would be constructed and 2,300 km of existing ones would be renovated. The trial phase will last from 2025 to 2027, while the full implementation will happen in three stages between 2027 and 2040.
The proposal asks for the construction of 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses to increase connection across metropolitan areas. Some of the notable projects include the bridges on Al Ittihad Road that link Al Nahda and Al Mamzar, Tripoli Street that link Al Warqa and Mirdif, Al Khawaneej Street that link Mushrif and Al Khawaneej, and Dubai-Al Ain Road that link Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubailand.
Major landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Lakes Towers will all be seamlessly connected by the project. Each route will feature distinctive lighting, colors, decorations, and vegetation that reflect the character of the neighborhood.
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The walkways will feature greenery, shady areas, misting systems, interactive digital screens, art exhibits, athletic and entertainment equipment, restrooms, and workspaces. Accessibility and safety are prioritized through the use of signage, ground markings, lighting, integrated pavements, art exhibits, and connection with smart apps and navigation systems.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed assessed the plans for the first phase of the pedestrian walkways, which would cover 17 km and comprise two significant routes. In addition to showcasing the history of the emirate, the 15-kilometer Al Ras Historical Route in Al Ras and Al Souk Al Kabeer stretches 5 kilometers along the rebuilt shoreline, featuring 25 public squares with green areas, art displays, and places to sit in shade.
The “The Future Loop” project, which will be implemented at the Museum of the Future, was also examined by His Highness. The Dubai World Trade Centre, Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, and nearby metro stations are all conveniently accessible via this well-known elevated walkway, which is 2 km long and 6 to 15 metres wide.
His Highness then viewed the model of “The Future Loop,” which boasted 30,000 square meters of air-conditioned walking area for year-round use, 30,000 square meters of green, shaded open spaces, and connections to ten significant landmarks. The project, which will include commercial areas, will be developed through a public-private partnership.
Furthermore, His Highness looked at three distinct models of pedestrian walkways. The Scenic-Leisure Walkways comprise 124 km of green walks, 64 km of urban pathways, 112 km of seashore pathways, and 150 km of rural and mountain trails. The City Connectivity Walkways focus on first- and last-mile connections to public transportation in 30 areas, including the Trade Centre, Business Bay, Al Bada’a, and Al Rigga. The Community Walkways are designed to link residential communities to nearby attractions in 50 places, beginning with Al Barsha 2, Al Khawaneej 2, and Al Mizhar 1.
His Highness also looked at three models of urban spaces. The first concept, Plazas, will be implemented in four locations: Al Mamzar, Mushrif, 2nd of December Street, and the Etihad Museum. Al Fahidi, Al Quoz, Al Karama, and Abu Hail will be included in the first phase of the second type, Superblocks. The third model, Boulevards, will be used to transform four streets—Jumeirah, Baniyas, Al Khaleej, and Al Muraqqabat—into pedestrian-friendly zones.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed was shown the road infrastructure upgrades in the “The Future Loop” neighborhood, which included upgrades to Al Mustaqbal Street and the Trade Center Roundabout. The project will construct 6,200 meters of car bridges and tunnels, converting the roundabout into a surface-level crossroads that will benefit about 500,000 residents and visitors and enhance traffic flow for seven nearby districts. These upgrades will increase road capacity by 30% (from 9,000 to 12,000 automobiles per hour) and reduce travel times from eight minutes to little over three minutes.
Innovative Walkway Designs for Al Ras and Museum of the Future
To come up with innovative walkway ideas for Al Ras and the Museum of the Future, six renowned worldwide consulting firms entered a global competition. The concept that LXA came up with was selected for the Museum of the Future area. In addition to reflecting the area’s elegance and first-rate infrastructure, it envisioned a 2-kilometer iconic bridge that would go well with landmarks like the Museum of the Future. The bridge supports the “20-Minute City” concept and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan by providing easy access for pedestrians and soft transportation.
The elevated walkway blends perfectly with the area’s future design while ensuring efficient traffic and pedestrian mobility and creating a new tourism landmark. The project uses global best practices to promote soft mobility and walking. The design includes green spaces, shaded locations, air-conditioned rooms, and interactive areas for activities and enjoyment in order to reduce the temperature. The bridge connects major sites and has three Red Line metro stops to encourage metro use.
To preserve its ancient charm, the Al Ras area design makes use of straightforward walkways and plaza enhancements. Materials, straightforward designs, and complementary colors are emphasized. In order to create green spaces, venues for art and cultural displays, and locations for shaded rest, the public spaces between historic buildings will be rehabilitated. Innovative microclimate control will ensure pedestrian comfort by using the area’s natural arrangement. A range of flooring materials will guide visitors to the major sites, and the overall street plan will redesign roads to encourage pedestrians and easy mobility.
To promote walking, a clever software that lets users record and share their walking data—such as distance, time, steps, and routes—will be made available. In addition to receiving information about walkway features, amenities, and user ratings, users will be able to save their preferred routes. The app will also provide a database of Dubai’s pedestrian network, with details on local events, art exhibits, rest areas, and points of interest highlighted. Under a reward system, walking lengths will generate points that can be exchanged for discounts or credits in a digital wallet.
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