Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approves Desert Rose City
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, attends the Summit of South American-Arab Countries, in Riyadh November 10, 2015. Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser

A flower-shaped city powered by renewable energy will soon rise in Dubai as the newest architectural marvel in the United Arab Emirates.

The Municipality of Dubai has approved plans to build a “Desert Rose City” after getting the green light from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai.

An artist rendition of the plan has been posted on the Twitter account of the Municipality early this week.

On Instagram, the Municipality of Dubai said “the go-ahead sign has been given to start the implementation in which the city wil be the shape of a flower in the desert.”

“In line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God Bless him and in line with the country's policy to follow the sustainable urban approach in a way that ensures progress in environmental protection. HE Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, stated that the Municipality proceed to implement an integrated environment-friendly city in Dubai,” the Instagram post reads.

 

. تجسيداً لرؤية صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم نائب رئيس الدولة رئيس مجلس الوزراء حاكم دبي، رعاه الله، وتماشياً مع سياسة الدولة بإتباع نهج عمراني مستدام، بما يضمن تقدم الصفوف العالمية لجهة حماية البيئة، أكد سعادة المهندس حسين ناصر لوتاه مدير عام بلدية دبي أن البلدية تباشر تنفيذ مدينة متكاملة صديقة للبيئة في دبي، وتم إعطاء إشارة البدء،حيث ستكون على شكل زهرة في الصحراء. In line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God Bless him and in line with the country's policy to follow the sustainable urban approach in a way that ensures progress in environmental protection. HE Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality stated that the Municipality proceed to implement an integrated environment-friendly city in Dubai. Additionally, the go-ahead sign has been given to start the implementation in which the city wil be the shape of a flower in the desert. #دبي #بلدية_دبي #DubaiMunicipality #Dubai #mydubai

A photo posted by Dubai Municipality بلدية دبي (@dubaimunicipality) on

Eco-friendly, sustainable city

According to the Municipality’s planning department, the “Desert Rose City” will be developed as a mix-used eco-city that will be built on a 14,000 hectare property on the Dubai-Al Ain Road.

At least 75 percent of the city will be dedicated to housing that could accommodate 160,000 residents. Meanwhile, 20,000 plots will be allocated for building luxury homes for Emiratis and 10,000 affordable housing units for expatriates.

The “Desert Rose City” will generate 200 megawatts of electricity from solar panels that will be installed on the rooftops of housing units and buildings. A facility will also be installed to re-use energy and recycle waste water within the city. This green building strategies will help reduce carbon emissions while improving quality of living among the residents.

Construction of the “Desert Rose City” is estimated to cost Dh30 billion (AU$10.9 billion). Government officials offered no details on the construction timeline but said target completion of the first phase of the project will be by 2020 when Dubai hosts the World Expo.

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