In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizen Affairs in Dubai, has approved the master plan for the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route. The plan includes the development of five service and recreational stations to provide an exceptional tourist experience for residents and visitors. These projects will be implemented in partnership with the private sector.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan also approved a series of development projects and initiatives to develop Dubai’s rural areas and countryside during the period from 2024 to 2028. The portfolio includes 37 projects and initiatives, with an estimated cost of around AED390 million.
Sheikh Hamdan said, “The master plan for the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route and Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Projects reflects the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aiming to transform Dubai’s rural areas and countryside to be among the best, most beautiful, and enjoyable for all. This contributes to solidifying the emirate’s position as an ideal destination to live and work, as well as a preferred attraction for visitors from around the world.”
As part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, we have approved the master plan for Saih Al Salam Scenic Route, featuring new facilities, activities, events, and services. Our goal is to increase the number of visitors by 600% to reach over 3 million by 2040. We have also approved… pic.twitter.com/RnW2ZUXeLS
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 20, 2024
Tourism and investment boost
The Master Plan for the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route includes the development of five tourist stations and the construction of 97.86km of cycling tracks, increasing the total track length in the area to 156.61km. Additionally, the plan expands the development of various facilities and the organization of activities and events aimed at increasing the number of tourists visiting the area and providing an integrated tourism experience for both residents and visitors.
According to the plan, the Main Hub Station near Al Qudra Lakes will include the establishment of a traditional market, featuring several shops selling local products typical of the rural areas, and an open-air cinema near the Last Exit, offering a unique experience of watching movies in a natural setting. The station will also feature luxury marquees, allowing visitors to camp in the heart of the desert near the activity sites along Al Qudra Lakes. The station will also include the development of public facilities to accommodate the large number of visitors and provide the necessary services.
The Wildlife Station, located near Flamingo Lake, will feature various facilities and activities, including hot air balloons that allow visitors to enjoy views of the wildlife and take in the Love Lakes from above. Additionally, there will be luxury camps and elevated walking trails that will connect the three lakes (Love, Qudra, and Flamingo). Kayak tours will also be offered across the three lakes.
The Adventure Station, located near Expo 2020 Lake, will include an adventure park near the Oryx platform, as well as walking and fitness trails. A sandy trail for cycling and walking will be added around Expo Lake, along with budget camps and restaurants.
The Cultural Experience Station, located near the camel farm in Al Marmoom, will provide a traditional majlis and an entertainment theatre at the camel farm, where visitors can ride camels, explore the desert, and enjoy traditional meals.
At the Desert Adventure Station, a fully integrated area for adventure and desert sports will be developed away from residential areas. This will allow visitors to enjoy various outdoor fun activities, such as dune bashing, desert cycling, dune climbing, sandboarding, and desert safari tours, among others.
18 new services in the first phase
The first phase of the rural and countryside plan includes the provision of 18 new services for residents of these areas. These services include the establishment of three nurseries, seven parks and open spaces, and three healthcare facilities (a hospital, a health center, and an ambulance station). Additionally, government services will also be made available in the form of civil defense and ambulance services, along with three social facilities catering to residents and visitors across the majlis, halls, and a community center.
Ongoing projects
The Higher Committee for Urban Planning in Dubai is overseeing the implementation of 37 projects and initiatives as part of the comprehensive plan for the development of rural and countryside areas, which span 2,216 square km.
A rural service center and a socio-cultural center are being constructed at Lahbab, including a majlis, a public library, an art exhibition hall, centers for teaching traditional arts, and centers for teaching Bedouin crafts. A majlis is also being built in Al Awir, and healthcare facilities are being established in Lahbab 2 and Al Lisaili, along with an ambulance station in Margham and a civil defense center in Lahbab 1. Additionally, three nurseries are being built in Al Awir 2, Lahbab, and Al Lisaili, and seven neighborhood parks are being developed in Margham, Al Lisaili, Nizwa, Lahbab 1 and 2, and Al Awir 2. Furthermore, internal roads are being constructed in Margham, Lahbab, and Al Lisaili.
The plan also includes shared and mass transportation solutions to serve all rural areas and traffic improvements in Lahbab, Al Awir, and Al Lisaili. The development of the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route, which is the first recreational tourist route, is also underway, along with the relocation of waste transfer stations in Lahbab 1, the relocation of the truck rest-stop, and a sewage project in Al Lisaili, Nizwa, Margham, and Lahbab 1 and 2. Landscaping works are being carried out in Al Faqa, Nizwa, and Al Lisaili, and a farmers’ support program is being implemented. Relevant entities are set to organize events and activities such as the Al Marmoom Festival, camel races, cycling races, and the Fazza Yola Championship.
Blueprint for the next 20 years
It is worth noting that the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Plan is a comprehensive development plan for the next 20 years, aligning with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The plan includes projects and initiatives to serve the residents of these areas better and meet their constantly evolving needs.
According to the plan, each area will retain its own identity, reflecting its uniqueness. The plan also focuses on improving and increasing the efficiency of public services and facilities for residents and visitors, developing public parks, improving roadworks and traffic solutions to facilitate smoother traffic movement, and creating a sustainable transportation system, including providing direct buses from main stations to these areas, with designated spaces for bicycles and scooters as well.
-WAM
