Dubai's Dh7b walled city plan to mirror Islamic era

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Dubais Dh7b walled city plan to mirror Islamic era

Published: Tue 9 Jan 2018, 8:39 PM

Last updated: Sun 28 Jan 2018, 1:44 PM

Ali Cloud Investment and Loulouat Alsharq for Investment and Real Estate Development plan to develop a Dh7-billion walled city in Dubai which will mirror the architecture and design of old Islamic eras.
Spanned over 20 million sqft, Knooz Al Sharq City will reflect the traditional lifestyles of three Islamic eras - Ottoman, Mamluk and Ummayad dynasty which ruled the Muslim for hundreds of years.
The resident will relive the great Islamic eras. Since it is expected to be a major tourist attraction, the visitors will see the architecture marvels which prevailed in Baghdad, Damascus and other Middle Eastern cities during those eras.
To be built around a huge mosque, the city will have seven Roman-era style gates. Four gates are named after the late Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. The other gates are named after prominent Islamic cultures, such as the Mamluk and Umayyad Gates.
Knooz Al Sharq City' will be free from cars as the residents and tourists will be transported by carts pulled by donkeys and horses. While the alleys and walkways will be narrow around the mosque. SM Ali, Group CMD, Ali Cloud Investment, said they hold 95 per cent stake in the project while Loulouat Alsharq for Investment and Real Estate Development - which is also master developer - will hold the remaining share. The project will be completed in five phases, housing villas and townhouses as well as 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments. The company will announce the official launch, completion and location details in the next couple of months. Around 50 per cent of the 20m sqft area will be dedicated for apartments, 25 per cent for villas and townhouses, 20 per cent for cultural activities.
"Knooz Al Sharq city will comprise traditional houses inspired by Islamic civilisation and rich Arab heritage, retail shops, museums showcasing Mamluk, Umayyad and other Islamic artefacts, as well as restaurants, traditional bathrooms, recreational facilities and venues for social events and performances. It will also be home to a market for crafts and gifts, sports clubs, social and cultural forums, scenic parks, and a special area designated for public auctions where antiques, art masterpieces, artefacts and paintings will be auctioned," said Mohammed Hesham Khair Al Zeen, partner and director of Louloulat Al Sharq company.
The museum will have artefact collection from the Islamic, Chinese, Roman, Greek and Indus Valley eras. The project will also include traditional hotels called caravansaries, three mosques, one is named after "The Mother of the Nation", the other named after the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the third one called the Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan mosque.
Other facilities will include a tribute museum to commemorate the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and another museum dedicated to paying tribute to the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The company aims to replicate this model at a later stage in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. - waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com
 

By Waheed Abbas

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