Dubai: Two-year rent exemptions in Creative Zone, says Sheikh Hamdan

Tenants in Al Quoz Creative Zone who are rebuilding or renovating their properties are exempt from paying rents for up to two years.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, said the move is part of the framework of the 100-day plan for the Al Quoz Creative Zone development project.

The ambitious project aims to transform the area into a comprehensive, integrated creative zone that attracts talent worldwide. The Dubai government launched Al Quoz Creative Zone in April this year. The district is home to several art galleries, community theatre, sports centres, and restaurants.

The district is a new hub for creative businesses, including visual arts, cinema, music and cultural heritage. Owners of the various outlets have welcomed rent exemptions for creative businesses undergoing renovations.

The 100-day plan for the Al Quoz Creative Zone has identified priority actions to develop the zone. It has also set goals and indicators to advance the project's two pillars: infrastructure and support for creatives.

The programme was launched by the project's higher committee, headed by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).

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How will the 100-day plan work?

At the infrastructure level, the plan includes developing the project's master plan to create a specially designed urban space that can accommodate all activities, investments, and people related to the project, said the Dubai Media Office.

A unique model for optimally distributing living, working, and creative public spaces will be developed based on a comparative study of similar zones worldwide, said the press release. Key categories of activities related to the creative industries sector will be identified, and permits will be listed.

To help the creative community, the plan has created a dedicated platform called the Creatives' Journey within the Invest in Dubai platform. This will support the business operations of creatives and provide a single window to get licenses for their projects in Dubai within a few minutes.

"By providing incentives for creatives to establish and develop their businesses, the platform supports the effort to transform industrial land into areas for creative activities," said the release.

The plan also seeks to provide soft-mobility solutions for the people in the zone. Transportation, connecting Al Safa Metro Station to Al Quoz Creative Zone, will also be developed. This will feature a bus route with unique designs, the release added.

Soft- mobility solutions

Initial designs for street signage will also be developed. In addition, consultancy contracts have been awarded to develop the best Integration and soft-mobility solutions in the Al Quoz Creative Zone, including street furniture, cycle tracks, a pedestrian bridge with a unique design, and pedestrian sidewalks micro-mobility, activity areas.

Moreover, coordination with the landlords and investors is conducted to explain the new opportunities provided in the area.

To date, Dubai Culture has awarded 4,500 certificates of accreditation to creatives and artists of different nationalities, said the media office.

"This is part of a plan to expand the issuance of the world's first long-term cultural visa to maximise the contribution of talent to the development of Dubai's cultural economy. It is also aligned with the objectives of the Al Quoz Creative Zone project, which seeks to attract accomplished and emerging creative talent both from the Arab world and across the globe," the release said.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai