Audio By Carbonatix
While its neighbor Abu Dhabi is working on the world's biggest sculpture in the desert, Dubai has announced plans to build the world’s largest shopping mall.
But that’s only a small part of the latest announcement for yet another spectacular tourism and retail development project in the city of glittering global superlatives.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, revealed plans for the new tourism city via an official statement and Twitter.
“Today we launched new city in Dubai, it will host world’s largest mall accommodating 80 million shoppers a year and a park that will receive 35 million,” tweeted the royal on Saturday.
Currently the world's largest mall is also held in Dubai -- The Dubai Mall -- which means Dubai has basically grown tired of breaking other nation's records and is now breaking its own.
By the numbers
Named after the sheikh, Mohammed bin Rashid city will aim to harness the tourism growth in Dubai -- Dubai's official statement estimated current tourism growth at 13 percent and retail sales growth at 25 percent annually.
Despite the continued oversupply, the emirate's real estate market has been recovering from crisis, thanks largely to the increased tourism, as well as an Arab Spring-induced demand for safe havens in the region.
The development plans for the new city are largely divided into four themes -- family tourism, retail, art galleries and a “unique area that will provide an integrated environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.”
The development will be built between Emirates Road, Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.
In addition to the new world’s biggest mall, which will be named “Mall of the World,” the project will also build 100 hotels, a park that will be "30 percent bigger than Hyde Park in London" (totalling 455 acres) and an international family attraction in collaboration with Universal Studios.
The family attraction will be the biggest of its kind in the Middle East and African region.
“The objective of this new initiative is take our economic development to a new level and promote the UAE globally,” tweeted the sheik.
The plan is to “start work immediately.”
The statement said that that the development would be overseen by Dubai Holding, a global investment holding company owned by the sheikh, and Emaar Properties, the developer of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, but did not mention a timeline or estimated cost for the project.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Inter fight back again to snatch draw at leaders Roma
4 minutes -
Suzuki proves worthy replacement for Martinez at Villa
9 minutes -
Brighton humbling ‘a big lesson’ for Arsenal – Arteta
13 minutes -
Arsenal handed first loss by brilliant Brighton
20 minutes -
Video: Akwatia MP clashes with Kofi Bentil over 3.9-tonne cocaine seizure
22 minutes -
Ratcliffe ‘must go’ says Man Utd Muslim fan group
26 minutes -
Ignite Social Enterprise targets global market for Ghanaian shea butter
41 minutes -
Eviction notice leaves retired, serving railway workers in Kumasi in limbo
1 hour -
Asiedu Nketia: Why I remain an unrepentant Nkrumahist
1 hour -
Kudus, Djiku return a boost to Black Stars – Agyemang-Badu
2 hours -
‘If the world, Africa honoured Nkrumah as the Millennium Man, why are we not doing same?’ – Asiedu Nketia
2 hours -
Yaw Preko backs renewed push to revive Colts football
2 hours -
UMB Speed Stars defeat Black Stars Legends 6-2 in friendly
2 hours -
Dafeamekpor hails Kwasi Pratt Jnr as ‘scholar of formidable proportions’
2 hours -
The BECE exam and placement conundrum: Necessary evil or failing system?
2 hours