Dubai is currently one of the most forward-looking cities on the planet. This is seen in the fact that the government has announced plans for spending large sums on several ambitious projects. What are the main upcoming projects and how will this affect the global image of Dubai?
"Burj al Arab & Palm Jumeirah @ View from" (CC BY 2.0)
The Main Areas of Spending
Expo 2020 will be held in Dubai starting in October 2020 and requires a massive amount of money to get it off the ground. The site will be 438 acres in size, with a central plaza surrounded by themed zones based on (and named after) Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability.
The overall budget for the event is AED 33 billion. Out of this total, AED 23 billion is earmarked for infrastructure and urban development projects. As well as projecting a sleek, sophisticated image of Dubai across the world, it is expected that the Expo will generate up to $60 billion in new or increased economic activity.
Another big area of spending is transport. A key element of this is the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy. This investment is aimed at making a quarter off all of the city’s transport autonomous by 2030. This way, AED 22 billion will be saved annually and the planet will also benefit from reduced carbon emissions.
The Growing Appeal of Living in Dubai
As a result of such moves, Dubai has already seen a huge influx of people coming to live and work here in recent decades. The number of large developments underway across the city has ensured that the majority of skilled workers in any sector are able to find work that appeals to them.
In terms of living in Dubai, there are several interesting areas where newcomers can find quality residential houses as well as a wide range of services and attractions. For example, Dubai Marina is built alongside a man-made canal and is highly sought after.
Downtown Dubai is also attractive, with the mammoth Burj Khalifa building towering over the bustling streets. Perhaps most exciting of all is Palm Jumeirah on the Arabian coast. This is the largest man-made island in the world and is formed in the shape of a palm tree, with each home having a private beach.
Why This Makes Dubai an Attractive Place to Visit
What's more, Dubai has been growing as a tourist destination in recent years, with close to 16 million international visitors in 2018. In the first nine months of 2019, the number of tourists had reached 12 million, which was a 4.3% increase from the same stage of the previous year.
The huge number of things to do here makes it incredibly appealing. From luxury shopping malls to world-class restaurants and welcoming beaches, it is a place that has something for everyone. Current developments are designed to increase the attractiveness and appeal of Dubai, as well as the convenience of getting around it.
Life is also set to get easier for people who want to visit Dubai multiple times for prolonged periods of time, as there is a new five-year visitor visa for the United Arab Emirates. Announced at the start of 2020, it is expected to be offered soon to visitors of any nationality. Previously, foreign visitors were restricted to a maximum of 90 days in the country.
It is clear that the government is investing heavily in Dubai with a view to helping it grow further as both a tourist destination and as one of the world’s most exciting and convenient places to live.
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