Sheikh Mohammed approves master plan for Dubai’s public beaches

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai approved the ‘Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches’ that aims to increase the total length of public beaches in the emirate by 400 per cent.

This expansion in public infrastructure is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and will feature the opening of new beaches as well as the development of existing ones. The total length of public beaches is set to grow to 105 km by the year 2040, as per details shared by Dubai Media Office.

Sheikh Mohammed, said, “Within the Dubai Urban Plan, we have adopted the development and doubling of public beaches by 400 per cent by 2040, which will increase its area from 21km now to 105km and raise the percentage of services by 300 per cent on public beaches by 2025.”

“We launched the first urban plan in Dubai in 1960. Development is a non-stop journey in Dubai. Dubai will continue to provide the best living standards for both individuals and families,” he added.

Master Plan for Developing Dubai Beaches pic.twitter.com/4umlByWGxS

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 25, 2023

Master Plan for Developing Dubai Beaches to see the length of emirate’s beaches increase by 400% by 2040. pic.twitter.com/6r4g3dB9Fe

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 25, 2023

Dubai master plan for public beaches

The ‘Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches’ was approved by Sheikh Mohammed during his visit to Jebel Ali Public Beach where he was received by Mattar Al Tayer, commissioner-general for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Wellbeing.

The new plan is in line with the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda to consolidate the emirate’s status as one of the top destinations for global tourism.

Jebel Ali public beach

Phase I of the expansion spans 54 km of public beaches, which includes the development of the Jebel Ali Public Beach in collaboration with developer Nakheel. The beach will be developed as an eco-tourism hub.

It will be connected via a direct public bus route which will be launched to link Jebel Ali Metro Station and the beach, offering direct access for visitors.

The development will also host turtle enclosures which will be created in accordance with global standards. The enclosures will support nationwide efforts to save and rehabilitate turtle species and return them to their natural habitat, as part of the broader goal of preserving the country’s marine environment.

A video featuring Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, was released as part of the launch of ‘Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches’. The video showed the Dubai ruler watch a turtle swim into the sea.

اعتمدنا ضمن خطة دبي الحضرية تطوير ومضاعفة أطوال الشواطئ العامة بنسبة 400% بحلول 2040 . . وزيادة مساحتها من 21 كم حالياً إلى 105 كم… ورفع نسبة الخدمات 300% على الشواطئ العامة بحلول 2025.

أطلقنا أول خطة حضرية في دبي في عام 1960م . . التطوير في دبي مستمر ولا نزال في البداية . .… pic.twitter.com/hZb8CxS1BA

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 25, 2023

Al Mamzar public beach

The Al Mamzar public beach (creek and corniche) is set to get a major face-lift. The first phase of the development project is scheduled to commence in June this year and projected to be completed by the end of 2023. This development will include new public facilities, pedestrian and cycling tracks and the planting of mangrove trees along the corniche.

The improvements will include the construction of a 4,000-metre cycling track along the Al Mamzar public beach and up to nine per cent of the beach will be designated for night swimming.

In 2024, the number of services at the beach is set to double and an additional three per cent of public beaches will be designated for night swimming.

The final phase of development will stretch in to 2025, which will see the beach services to have increased three-fold with the length of cycling tracks going up by 20 per cent.

Short and long-term initiatives

An array of short and long-term initiatives will seek to boost investment in commercial facilities at the beach. Retail kiosks will be constructed on Jumeirah Beach 2 and Umm Suqeim 1 and the beach will see new water sports facilities and the installation of smart safe lockers.

Long-term initiatives include a study to explore the offering of new commercial investment opportunities through the introduction of retail outlets, restaurants, and marine sports activities as well as the development of Jebel Ali public beach to provide camping facilities.

These beaches will be feature additional facilities for people of determination.

Globally accredited beaches

Dubai has a total of eight public beaches – Khor Al Mamzar, Al Mamzar Corniche, Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Umm Suqeim 2, and Jebel Ali Public Beach.

These public beaches have received the international Blue Flag certification for five consecutive years, which confirms their compliance with global standards for seawater quality, environmental education, environmental management, public safety, and services.