Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture, Navi Mumbai

Name of the Student Mohit Mulchandani

Roll Number 25
Year and Division Fourth Year - ID
Course Name B.Arch (Interior Design)

Subject Town Planning

Topic City Study
Date 21 August 2014

Dubai Town Planning

Introduction
1. Dubai is the most populous emirate and second largest emirate by size of the United Arab Emirates.

2. Dubai was formally established in 1833.

Key Plan
Basic Information
1. Population – 2.2 million

2. Area – 4114 sq km

3. Official Language – Arabic (though English is now widely recognized all over UAE)

4. Major religion – Islam

5. Currency – 1 USD = 3.67 AED

1 AED = 16.25 INR

6. Government – Constitutional Monarchy

7. Legal System – District Court, High Court, Federal Court

Location
1. Dubai is centrally located on the map, making it an attractive tourist spot.

2. Apart from oil, major source of revenue for Dubai is tourism.

3. It is known that approximately 6-7 million people visit Dubai every year, in comparison to the population of Dubai
being just about 2-2.2 million.
Population
1. Population of Dubai as of 2014 stands around 2.2 million. Major percentage of this is concentrated with expatriates.

2. A gradual growth in population patterns is expected in the coming years.

Importance
1. Dubai along with the entire UAE, remains one of the most important producers of oil and gas for the international
market.

2. Dubai has been home to investments and employees for various countries.

3. Expatriates in Dubai make up for major portion of remittances that take place around the world.
History
1. Dubai formally came into existence in 1892, when it signed a protection agreement with the UK.

2. Dubai’s proximity to Iran made it an important trade destination.

3. Dubai was known as the land of pearl exports up until 1930 before the business of pearls got destroyed during the
World War 1.

4. Electricity, Airport and telecommunication systems came to Dubai in the 1950s.

5. After vast explorations, oil in a very small quantity was first discovered in 1966.

6. Dubai along with 6 other emirates including AbuDhabi came into an agreement to form the United Arab Emirates on
2nd December 1971 now celebrated as the national day every year. This was done when the UK left the Persian gulf in
1971.

7. Jebel Ali port was developed in 1985 which till date is one of the most important business destinations in the middle
east.

8. Constant conflicts in the middle east have a huge impact on the economy of Dubai.
Culture
1. The UAE culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab and Bedouinculture.

2. In contrast, the city of Dubai is a highly cosmopolitan society with a diverse and vibrant culture.

3. The influence of Islamic and Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle are very prominent as
well.

4. The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogenous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other
ethnic groups and nationals first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s.

5. Major holidays in Dubai include Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and National Day (2 December ), which
marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Annual entertainment events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival
(DSF) and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) attract over 4 million visitors from across the region and generate billions of
revenues.
How trade evolved
1. After the decline of pearl trade, Dubai and neighboring Sharjah started acting as a connecting destination between the
east and west. As Dubai did not have an airport late until 1960s, flights would land in Sharjah.

2. As the business of serving connecting passengers grew, Dubai started building an airport in Al Ghusais, near to Sharjah
and Old Dubai.

3. After exploration of oil, Dubai was not just a connecting destination but a trade hub. Foreigners would come to trade
oil and oil containers would be shipped to western countries. The income then was utilized to develop infrastructure.
Port Rashid was developed to facilitate this new found growth.

4. As infrastructure grew, Dubai started looking for an alternate economy in tourism, as a safe option once the oil
reserves run out.

5. Today Dubai runs on oil and tourism, with no third economy existing. With the development of Ettihad Rail, it seems
like trade, import and export shall become the third dominating trade.

6. Dubai is now developing a second airport to connect the newer areas and Jebel Ali Port along with modern freight
transport facilities.
Climatic Conditions
Evolution
1. Major growth of Dubai is seen to have taken place between 1995 and 2005.
Evolution
Evolution
1. In earlier days dating back to 1960s and 1970s, most of the settlements took place along the coastal line, due to easy
availability of resources and flourishing trade along the coastal lines.

2. To continue with such growth, the rulers of Dubai in recent times have commissioned large scale coastal extension
projects which has led to people shifting toward interior of Dubai.

3. The growth pattern of Dubai has been parallel to the coastal line with zones being allocated for each activity.
Dubai Master Plan (Harris Master Plan)
1. Dubai has laid out numerous master plans since 1960, all of which have gone unnoticed because they failed to
anticipate the rapid growth of the city.

2. The first master plan of Dubai was assigned to British architect John Harris in 1960 by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al
Maktoum.

3. By this time Dubai’s population had reached an estimated 40,000 and the city was entering what is referred to as its
second development phase.

4. Dubai in 1960 did not have much infrastructure, lacking paved roads, utility networks, running water and modern
supply ports, with few telephone lines.

5. Harris’ master plan introduced a road system, zoning of the town into areas for industry, commerce and public
buildings, residential quarters and a new town center.

6. The road system would weave the old town into Dubai’s future growth as opposed to razing the old city: it was
considerate of the historical district of Dubai.
Dubai Master Plan (Harris Master Plan)
7. The modest design of the 1960 master plan was quickly enhanced upon discovery of oil in 1966. The updated plan of
1971 included a tunnel and two bridges across the Dubai Creek and the vision for Port Rashid.

8. The zoning areas from the original master plan were increased in size while new zoning areas such as health, education
and leisure arose. Additionally, the landmark World Trade Center was designed by John Harris himself and was the
tallest building in the Arab world from 1979(its opening) until 1999.

9. The Harris master plan would quickly prove insufficient for Dubai’s rapid growth development. The population of
Dubai in 1954 doubled from 20,000 to 40,000 by 1960, driving the need for the first master plan. By 1968 the
population had grown by another 20,000 people.

10. The census recorded populations of 183,000, 370,800 and 674,000 in 1975, 1985, and 1995, respectively. With a
growth of over 300% in 20 years, the Dubai Municipality prepared a 20-year plan (The Dubai Structural Plan) that
aimed be flexible and adapt well to changes.

11. The failure of the policies is mainly due to the plans inability, once again, to predict or keep up with the massive
growth of the real estate sector.
Dubai Master Plan (Harris Master Plan)
Dubai Structural Plan (1995-2015)
Dubai Structural Plan (1995-2015)
Tourist Map
Tourist Map
Economic Growth
LandSAT Map
Major Road Network
Public Transport
Public Transport Options
Water Transport

L - Abra

B - Water Bus
Public Transport Options
Water Transport

U - Water Taxi
Public Transport Options
Surface Transport

L - Metro Taxi R - National Taxi

L - Cars Taxi R – Ladies Taxi

Public Transport Options
Surface Transport
Public Transport Network (Existing)
Metro Transport
Public Transport Network (Proposed)
Metro & TramTransport
Public Transport Network (Proposed)
Figure Ground Analysis – Old Dubai (Bur Dubai)
Figure Ground Analysis – Old Dubai (Bur Dubai)
Figure Ground Analysis – Deira
Figure Ground Analysis – Dubai
Density
Insights into Figure Ground
Insights into Figure Ground
Water Supply
1. Dubai is supplied drinking water via Desalination plants. 98.1 % of water needs are met with the help of one
desalination plant located at Jebel Ali.

Water Consumption
Town Planning
Dubai 2020 Vision

Mohammad Bin Rashid City Bluewaters Island

Dubai 2020 Vision

Dubai Water Canal

MBR District One
Dubai 2020 Vision

Dubai Adventure Studios Taj Arabia

Strengths
1. The main strength of Dubai lies in its economy, despite the recession in 2008, Dubai bounced back strong to overcome
the turmoil and resume the forefront of development.

2. Dubai’s strength also lies in its administration and high vision held by its Ruler. Its policy of no compromise with quality
and aim for stars has been successful seeing the development of worlds tallest building and multiple man made
islands.

3. The location of Dubai has ensured that it remains a tourist hotspot for years to come as it is centrally located on the
map and has an extensive fleet of air travel operated by local carrier Emirates. It is also closely located to Sharjah
airport which also operates on several routes with local carrier Air Arabia.

4. Dubai has 2 major ports in the form of Jebel Ali Port and Port Rashid, both catering to heavy duty ships round the year.

5. With the development of Al Maktoum international airport, Dubai is making sure of using the freight cargo transport to
the fullest.

6. Freight transport within the gulf will further be enhanced with the development of Ettihad Rail, which is well on track
and Phase 1 of which is under testing.
Weakness
1. Dubai’s weakness lies somewhere in its strength. Today Dubai booms on its extensive oil reserve which has been a
catalyst for development in tourism and infrastructure, once the oil reserves are over, Dubai remains with tourism as
its major economy.

2. Due to some reason (gulf wars and tensions in neighboring countries) if tourism were to take a hit, finances in Dubai as
well as the service sector in Dubai will be highly strained which was observed during the 2008 recession period where
trade in Dubai was at an all time low in the last 15 years.

3. A need for an alternate economy is highly essential to protect the long term future of Dubai.

4. Dubai’s weakness also lay in its immigration with an estimate of 0.5 million immigrants living without proper legal visa.
This has created some problems in law enforcement.
Opportunities
1. To explore vast unexplored lands to hold manufacturing and industrial units which can facilitate local traders and help
in export and import.

2. Develop itself as a regional and international cargo hub as well as serve as a strong connecting destination.
Threats
1. Regional tensions in Arab world is a constant threat to the reputation of Dubai and regional tourism in Middle East.

2. Dubai has seen a huge increase in criminals who are sought by in their home countries, this has brought a small impact
on foreign relations of Dubai.