The Dubai Executive Council has approved the city’s Urban Development Master Plan 2020. A supreme council will be established, with a mandate to streamline the process across the emirate, according to Dubai officials.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General, stated that economically feasible and sustainable projects and programs are included in the development plan. This ten-year plan has considered all related aspects, including commercial, industrial and residential infrastructure, as well as housing requirements, recreational facilities and environmental concerns.
Planning and Engineering Director General Essa Al Maidour stated that the plan is being driven by economic growth and will create jobs across several sectors. Expectations are that around 950,000 jobs will be open up by 2020, with focus on tourism, as well as on trade, industry, re-exports and real estate.
Lootah noted that development in Dubai is about more than just real estate. This is not a building plan, but a development plan that covers a variety of sectors.
Major development and growth should occur in Jebel Ali as the port and the Al Maktoum International Airport fuel the economy and enhance trade.
Population growth estimates in the plan expect growth of one million residents by 2020. There are three population scenarios built into the plan, a total of 2.3 million is the lowest of those expected scenarios. The highest population scenario sits at 3.4 million residents, while the mid-range amount of 2.9 million is expected to be the most realistic.
Population calculations used a statistical survey and built on the 2010 population of 1.9 million.
Before 2008 Dubai was anticipating a population of 9.0 million by 2020. Considering the 2010 numbers, Dubai revised the population expectations in terms of planning for future developments and land allocation.
Al Maidour noted that the 2.9 million population expectation is likely to be reached, although plans for the highest level are in place.
The plan will be implemented through legislation and the emirate has already seen initiatives put in place that are positive for business.
This new development plan looks to balance urban developments with natural conservation, heritage concerns and the responsible management of natural resources.
