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$6 billion to develop facilities in the city
DUBAI - Dubai plans to invest a total of $6 billion in infrastructure projects in its bid to cope with the fast-paced development of the emirate on various fronts, Mattar Al Tayer, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Roads and General Projects Affairs, said.
He was addressing the opening session of the Dubai-Germany Economic Partnership Forum, which began in Munich on Wednesday. The three-day forum is organised in a bid to boost the two-way trade and investment flow between Dubai and Germany.
Speaking at the forum, Mr Al Tayer noted that future outlook of Dubai Municipality includes $500 million for roads and bridges, $4.5 billion for the rail project, $300 million for drainage and irrigation projects and $700 million for general projects.
In the past four decades Dubai underwent phenomenal economic and demographic growth transforming it from a small trading port to a major economic, trading and financial centre with a 20-fold increase in urban area, he said.
"Dubai Municipality must stay abreast of this continuous ongoing growth by providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities and related services. Today, the total annual budget of Dubai Municipality exceeds $350 million with approximately 90 per cent allocated to infrastructure development. The scope of infrastructure services and facilities covers the transportation network, the sewage and drainage network, environmental protection projects, parks, sports clubs, educational facilities and public libraries," he said.
Dubai's road network is one of the most efficient road networks in the world with a total length nearing 10,000 lane-km and a total overall investment of $2.5 billion, he added.
Mr Al Tayer noted that the road network is under continuous expansion and development with over 20 major new projects costing $500 million including an 8-lane tunnel under the airport and a new 12-lane bridge across Dubai Creek.
The road network, he said, is monitored and managed through the automated traffic control centre using the latest technology. Moreover, an Intelligent Transportation System including a Dynamic Navigation System (DINS) and Variable Sign Messages is currently under development and will be operational by December 2005.
"To further improve transportation efficiency, we are developing a light rail transit system with a total length of 70km, 55 stations and a total budget of $4.5 billion. Construction of this important project will start in 2005 and the first phase will be operational in 2010 and the second phase will be completed in 2017," he said.
He added that Dubai's sewage and drainage network covers the total area of the emirate and includes separate networks for sewage, storm water and irrigation. Dubai's sewage treatment plant is one of the most modern in the area and its effluent water is recycled and used in irrigation. "The total investment in sewage, irrigation and drainage projects exceeds $1.5 billion. To improve performance we are building a new sewage treatment plant and undertaking more than 40 projects costing $300 million in the next 5 years," he noted.
Dubai Municipality embraces the sustainable development doctrine which evolved during the "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro.
"Our contribution to the development of Dubai does not stop at building roads and sewage networks but also extends to providing different public facilities including educational buildings such as schools, colleges and universities, government buildings, convention centres, sports facilities, public libraries and parks. We are also responsible for the conservation and rehabilitation of historical sites and buildings. Over 89 public facilities projects are currently under design and construction with a total budget of over $700 million," he said.
He noted that despite its harsh climate, Dubai enjoys a very high green area - at 20.2 m.sq per capita. Dubai Municipality aims to achieve a target of 25 m.sq. per capita by the 2012.
At the end of 2003, the green area in Dubai was 20.5 square kilometres, which amounts to approximately 3.4 per cent of the overall urban area. Public parks are spread overall Dubai ranging from small community parks to large multi-functional parks some of which lay directly on the shores of the Arabian Gulf.
Hitting the big time
The city is on the move. "To further improve transportation efficiency, we are developing a light rail transit system with a total length of 70 kilometres, 55 stations and a total budget of $4.5 billion," says Mattar Al Tayer.
Construction of this important project will start in 2005 and the first phase will be operational in 2010 and the second phase will be completed in 2017."
The other main breakdowns:
. $500 million for roads and bridges
. $300 million for drainage and irrigation projects and $700 million for general projects.
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