Civil body to redevelop Al Khaleej Road buildings

DUBAI - In what could be described as the first of its kind housing project ever carried out in the emirate of Dubai, the Building and Housing Department of Dubai Municipality will soon begin work on redeveloping the old township residential area on Al Khaleej Road near the present central fruits and vegetable market at Hamriya.

By Zaigham Ali Mirza

Published: Tue 7 Oct 2003, 12:32 PM

Last updated: Wed 1 Apr 2015, 11:30 PM

"Most of the buildings in this area are either of poor construction quality or were constructed decades ago, as such they are an eye-sore as well as safety risk for the members of the public. For these reasons it was decided that the whole area be redeveloped in line with housing safety standards and the general look of the emirate," Essa Al Maidoor, Director of Building and Housing Department told Khaleej Times yesterday. He added that work on the project would begin on ground towards the begining of next year.

Explaining the plan, Mr Maidoor said that the project, which is presently in the design stage, would involve the reconstruction of over 200 housing units together with redesigning and re-installation of all related civic facilities in the area. "It is a win-win situation for the residents of the area in question, and the response we have received from them so far indicates that they think so too," he noted adding that the ownership of the houses "will remain intact" even after the reconstruction.

Replying to a question Mr Maidoor said that the residents of the area were issued notices appraising them of the plan between May and June earlier this year, and as such had, and still have, ample time to make alternate arrangements. "Most of the people living in this area are connected one way or another with the central fruits and vegetable market at Hamriya. Though it was not planned that way, both the market and the old residential buildings area will have to be vacated around the same time," he said. He added that the final shifting of the Hamriya market, Mr Al Maidoor noted, will have a positive effect on the schedule of the re-development project

A committee comprising officials from the Dubai Development Board and the municipality was formed for carrying out this particular project few months ago.