Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has executed a series of traffic enhancements on the Dubai-Al Ain Road near the Al-Faqa area.
According to a report by RTA, the improvements on this route include the construction of an additional exit on Dubai-Al Ain Road towards Al Ain at Exit 58, leading to the U-turn tunnel before the Al-Faqa area.
The road development aims to improve traffic flow and significantly reduce commute times for drivers heading to both Al Ain and Dubai.
The authority has made these enhancements to streamline traffic flow and cut down on travel time for vehicles heading towards both Al Ain City and Dubai.
“A new roundabout has also been constructed to improve entry and exit from the existing tunnel and enhance U-turn movements on the road, along with a 600-meter acceleration lane for vehicles exiting towards Al Ain, ensuring a seamless merge into the main traffic flow,” said Hamad Al Shehhi, Director of Roads at the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA.
How the road improvements helped d rivers
These upgrades have not only eased congestion at Exit 58 but have also greatly benefited residents and visitors of the Hind and Al-Faqa communities. The improvements have improved access for farm owners and workers in the vicinity.
Gold prices climbed on Monday as the dollar weakened, with investors awaiting further details on US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff plans, which could escalate global trade tensions.
Spot gold was up by 0.6 per cent at $2,900.47 per ounce, as of 0536 GMT. US gold futures gained 0.4 per cent to $2,912.00.
The dollar index hovered near a two-month low as traders assessed recent weaker-than-expected US economic data.
A weaker US dollar makes bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies.
Gold is being supported by the dollar’s weakness and uncertainty over how Trump will engage with major trading partners in enforcing his trade tariff policy, said Kelvin Wong, OANDA’s senior market analyst for Asia Pacific.
Trump renewed his tariff threats on Friday, saying that levies on automobiles would be imposed as early as April 2.
Last week, Trump instructed commerce and economic officials to study reciprocal tariffs against countries that impose tariffs on US goods, with recommendations due by April 1.
Bullion is viewed as a traditional hedge against rising prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
Spot silver rose by 0.7 per cent to $32.36 an ounce, after hitting on Friday its highest level since October 31, latching on to factors that drove gold to successive record highs. Some analysts suggested investors in the metal may aim to challenge a 10-year high.
Platinum gained 0.6 per cent to $984.98 and palladium jumped 1.7 per cent to $977.99.
Parkin Dubai’s public parking operator has introduced new variable parking fees near event locations, with the revised tariffs set to take effect from February 17.
Parking fees will rise to Dh25 per hour during events in designated areas around key venues, including the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which the operator has referred to as the “Grand Event Zone”.
These new charges will apply to parking zones 335X, 336X, and 337X.
In a tweet on X, the operator encouraged the use of public transport for those heading to event zones, citing the anticipated demand for parking in the area.
The announcement follows earlier changes to parking fees across the city. Earlier this month, the operator increased tariffs in zone F areas, which include popular locations such as Al Sufouh 2, The Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City. These new rates, which came into effect on February 1, apply to all parking slots within the zone F areas.
The introduction of higher fees during event times comes as Dubai continues to host a growing number of international events, including exhibitions, concerts, and conferences.
Designing cities: UK architects support the Middle East’s urban transformation
From sustainable projects like Masdar City and innovative transport systems, the Gulf region is partnering with UK expertise to achieve its urban ambitions by combining modern design with cultural relevance
As the Middle East pushes forward with its urban development goals, cities across the region are evolving into hubs of innovation and sustainability. Through partnerships, UK architects are contributing their expertise to some of the region’s most ambitious transformations.
In 2025, the UK will launch its new 10-year Industrial Strategy, which will enable the country’s already world-leading sectors, such as creative industries, to continue to adapt and grow. Built to offer long-term certainty, the strategy reinforces UK businesses as innovative and reliable partners for international businesses.
Firms like Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) are at the forefront, delivering projects that reflect the Middle East’s bold aspirations while respecting its rich cultural heritage.
Designing with purpose
For Foster + Partners, the Gulf represents an opportunity to create architecture that balances cultural identity with environmental challenges. The firm’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its groundbreaking projects across the region, including one of its most celebrated achievements: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.
Designed as a model for carbon-neutral and zero-waste urban living, Masdar City achieves significant results, including a 30.6 per cent reduction in energy use intensity, 57 per cent waste reduction through recycling, and water savings equivalent to filling 17 Olympic swimming pools annually.
Masdar City, a Foster + Partners project. Image courtesy Masdar City
“Our projects are always rooted in the history and local heritage, embodying the spirit of a place. In the Gulf region, we focus on passive design strategies and high-performance facades to create cool, comfortable buildings that respond to the climate. Alongside this, we’re excited about projects like the Al Sa’ad Plaza Towers in Qatar, the Red Sea Airport in Saudi Arabia, and the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, which celebrate the region’s culture and aspirations,” said Gerard Evenden, head of Studio at Foster + Partners.
The firm’s commitment to sustainability in the Gulf is also reflected in its ability to tailor solutions to the region’s specific needs, ensuring that each project integrates seamlessly with the environment, enhances energy efficiency, and promotes long-term resilience.
From Lusail Stadium in Qatar to the National Bank of Kuwait Tower, the firm demonstrates how architecture can address modern needs while staying connected to tradition.
Jeddah Metro/ A Foster + Partners project
Innovation rooted in culture
As the Middle East reimagines its cities, architectural practices are being challenged to balance modernity with cultural relevance. Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has approached this challenge by integrating innovation and sustainability into designs that resonate with their surroundings.
The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station in Riyadh exemplifies this approach. As a key interchange in the city’s metro network, the station optimizes pedestrian flow while minimizing energy consumption through renewable-powered cooling systems and passive design.
In Oman, ZHA’s waterfront redevelopment in Muscat focuses on sustainable urban living, supporting rapid population growth while prioritizing residents’ well-being.
“Our buildings are deeply connected to the communities they serve,” said Melodie Leung, director at Zaha Hadid Architects. “We anchor each design in the region’s heritage, whilst pushing ourselves to continually advance and improve the architecture industry to create something unique, and that is meaningful to the context and the client. We push the boundaries of architecture to meet the aspirations of each new generation.”
The BEEAH Headquarters in Sharjah further underscores ZHA’s focus on sustainability. It combines advanced energy systems with sustainable materials, setting new standards for environmentally responsible design.
ZHA’s approach to architecture is driven by a focus on creating designs that respond to both immediate and long-term urban challenges. Their projects in the region often feature strategies to enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create spaces that can adapt to future urban needs. These elements are particularly relevant as cities in the Middle East continue to evolve and face growing demands for sustainability and resilience.
As the Middle East redefines its cities, collaborations with UK architects who combine innovation with local expertise are driving sustainable progress.
From Foster + Partners’ climate-conscious designs to Zaha Hadid Architects’ unique urban concepts, these efforts are shaping a modern, resilient future for the region. UK architects are helping to shape the region’s cities by providing designs that meet both contemporary demands and long-term growth objectives.
To find out more about working with UK businesses to make your vision a reality, click here.
Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has announced a historic annual revenue of Dhs3.3bn for 2024, reflecting an impressive 7.4 per cent year-on-year growth and a net profit of Dhs908m for the same period.
“Empower has successfully leveraged Dubai’s economic landscape to achieve its strategic goals, capitalising on the significant growth in the real estate sector, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and entertainment sectors,” said Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower.
Increase in company profits
According to a Wam report, the company’s profit before tax rose by 5.9 per cent compared to 2023, reaching Dhs998m for 2024. Empower’s net profit after tax for 2024 stood at Dhs908m.
The company anticipates maintaining sustainable dividend payments in line with its business growth.
Expansion and growth of the company
Empower’s contracted capacity grew by 6.9 per cent, reaching 1.78 million refrigeration tonnes (RT) in 2024, after signing 111 contracts during the year. The total length of Empower’s distribution pipeline network across various areas of Dubai now exceeds 418 kilometers, and the number of district cooling plants has reached 88.
Buildings served by Empower
The number of buildings served by Empower with district cooling services reached 1,637 in 2024, marking a 7.2 per cent increase from 2023.
The breakdown of these buildings is as follows:
67 per cent are residential buildings
14 per cent are commercial buildings and office spaces
13 per cent are in the hospitality and hotel sector
2 per cent are in the healthcare sector
The remaining 4 per cent are spread across the education, entertainment, and other sectors.
Empower’s growing customer base
Empower’s customer base has surpassed 143,000, with district cooling consumption rising by 10 per cent (in refrigeration tonnes) in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has upgraded Kite Beach Street in Jumeirah from one lane in each direction to two lanes in the same direction.
This upgrade is part of the RTA’s ongoing efforts to improve traffic flow across Dubai and address the growing congestion from parking and pedestrian pathways.
The RTA also completed traffic enhancements at more than 50 locations across the emirate in 2024.
According to a Dubai Media Office report, the improvements were carried out to coincide with the city’s urban expansion, as well as the increase in traffic volumes experienced by residents across Dubai’s roads.
Additionally, these enhancements have increased road capacity by up to 20 per cent in several areas. “These improvements have played a crucial role in optimising vehicle movement on major roads while increasing the capacity of road networks as well as entry and exit points,” said Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA.
Dubai’s Dhs16bn mega road development plan will ease traffic
It was in 2024, that Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, had explored new initiatives to elevate Dubai’s urban mobility and transport infrastructure.
The development plan aims to support Dubai’s expanding population, benefiting over six million residents and strengthening connectivity across the emirate.
Key projects include the Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Meydan Road developments, which will boost road capacity and significantly reduce travel times across key areas.
RTA’s enhancements to public transit also reflect Dubai’s commitment to technology-driven solutions.
The city’s road network, which has expanded from 8,715 lane-kilometres in 2006 to 18,990 lane-kilometres, now facilitates 2.2 million daily public transport riders.
AI-powered traffic management systems, autonomous transport initiatives, and a trackless tram study promise to advance Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy by 2030.
