How the Dubai metro is changing the way people live, work and play
Those cities which have successfully implemented a metro system, are set to be more readily equipped to respond to urbanisation and provide high quality places to live, work and play for their citizens.
08 Apr 2020
As cities continue to grow at a fast pace, they undergo an economic transformation by creating employment opportunities and attracting skilled workers. However, urbanisation also creates challenges, as cities are at times unable to efficiently manage unprecedented population growth. Lack of urban planning can result in high real estate prices and lack of affordable housing, increasing levels of pollution, and traffic congestion.
In the case of the mobility challenges which arise as a result of fast population growth, cities should invest in new technologies and sustainable solutions to facilitate movement and flow within urban centres. Those cities which have successfully done so are set to be more readily equipped to respond to urbanisation and provide high quality places to live, work and play for their citizens.
Transit oriented developments (TODs) are becoming increasingly popular as they facilitate greater mobility, create new communities, reduce gridlock and promote wellbeing. TODs integrate housing, offices, retail, hospitality and supporting amenities within a walkable environment located in proximity and well-connected to public transport networks. Successful TODs are ecosystems that offer a diverse range of real estate product that caters to various income levels and a wide demographic to foster inclusivity and liveability. Unlocking the highest value from surrounding land and real estate is a critical factor towards making TODs viable. Planned effectively, TODs present an opportunity to meet the real estate needs of a growing city without undermining the importance of open spaces and public realm.
Modern cities, such as Dubai, have seen rapid development over recent decades, supported by investment in infrastructure and improvements in technology. These trends have supported the development of new communities, as the city has expanded. Dubai’s population has grown 2.5 times over the last 15 years, reaching over 3.3 million by Q3 2019. Simultaneously, the city has also welcomed over 16.5 million tourists in the past year alone. This exponential population growth coupled with increasing tourist arrivals has challenged the city’s mobility infrastructure over the years.
Lack of urban planning can result in high real estate prices and lack of affordable housing, increasing levels of pollution and traffic congestion
The introduction of the Dubai Metro represents a major shift in the city’s mobility infrastructure and has had a significant contribution to accessibility and connectivity in the city, facilitating its expansion into a polycentric city. In 2018, over 204 million passengers used the Dubai Metro, with a large segment of passengers commuting to residential communities, commercial districts and super-regional malls.
Furthermore, well-planned mixed-use communities, including Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina, have successfully leveraged on the metro connectivity to attract both residents and tourists, with over 20 million passenger trips to these areas combined. Due to be operational in 2020, Route 2020 will further enhance the city’s mobility, connecting the Dubai Metro to the Expo 2020 site. Subsequently and in line with this upcoming metro extension, developers are leveraging on increased future connectivity by introducing projects in areas, such as Dubai South, Al Furjan and Discovery Gardens, with key project examples including Wasl Gate and The Pulse.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, other fast-growing cities are also tapping into the potential of transit-oriented developments. Following Riyadh’s rapid growth, the city is expected to introduce the metro transport system by end of 2020. This system, coupled with additional bus transport, is anticipated to enhance mobility among the cities residents and visitors and help in reducing traffic congestion throughout the city. Real estate in proximity to key transport hubs are expected to benefit from enhanced accessibility, and those developments which follow the principles of world-class TODs are likely to flourish in an increasingly competitive real estate market.
Well-planned mixed-use communities, have successfully leveraged on the metro connectivity to attract both residents and tourists
While TODs are more complex in nature compared to conventional mixed-use projects, they assist in addressing several key challenges that cities face during their expansionary phase. By developing successful TODs, for example, cities can provide more walkable, sustainable and socially inclusive communities, all within large urban centres and while leveraging on investment in public transport and infrastructure. As the region’s transport infrastructure expands across key cities, TODs are likely to play an increasingly important role in real estate and city development.
In the case of the mobility challenges which arise as a result of fast population growth, cities should invest in new technologies and sustainable solutions to facilitate movement and flow within urban centres. Those cities which have successfully done so are set to be more readily equipped to respond to urbanisation and provide high quality places to live, work and play for their citizens.
Transit oriented developments (TODs) are becoming increasingly popular as they facilitate greater mobility, create new communities, reduce gridlock and promote wellbeing. TODs integrate housing, offices, retail, hospitality and supporting amenities within a walkable environment located in proximity and well-connected to public transport networks. Successful TODs are ecosystems that offer a diverse range of real estate product that caters to various income levels and a wide demographic to foster inclusivity and liveability. Unlocking the highest value from surrounding land and real estate is a critical factor towards making TODs viable. Planned effectively, TODs present an opportunity to meet the real estate needs of a growing city without undermining the importance of open spaces and public realm.
Modern cities, such as Dubai, have seen rapid development over recent decades, supported by investment in infrastructure and improvements in technology. These trends have supported the development of new communities, as the city has expanded. Dubai’s population has grown 2.5 times over the last 15 years, reaching over 3.3 million by Q3 2019. Simultaneously, the city has also welcomed over 16.5 million tourists in the past year alone. This exponential population growth coupled with increasing tourist arrivals has challenged the city’s mobility infrastructure over the years.
Lack of urban planning can result in high real estate prices and lack of affordable housing, increasing levels of pollution and traffic congestion
The introduction of the Dubai Metro represents a major shift in the city’s mobility infrastructure and has had a significant contribution to accessibility and connectivity in the city, facilitating its expansion into a polycentric city. In 2018, over 204 million passengers used the Dubai Metro, with a large segment of passengers commuting to residential communities, commercial districts and super-regional malls.
Furthermore, well-planned mixed-use communities, including Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina, have successfully leveraged on the metro connectivity to attract both residents and tourists, with over 20 million passenger trips to these areas combined. Due to be operational in 2020, Route 2020 will further enhance the city’s mobility, connecting the Dubai Metro to the Expo 2020 site. Subsequently and in line with this upcoming metro extension, developers are leveraging on increased future connectivity by introducing projects in areas, such as Dubai South, Al Furjan and Discovery Gardens, with key project examples including Wasl Gate and The Pulse.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, other fast-growing cities are also tapping into the potential of transit-oriented developments. Following Riyadh’s rapid growth, the city is expected to introduce the metro transport system by end of 2020. This system, coupled with additional bus transport, is anticipated to enhance mobility among the cities residents and visitors and help in reducing traffic congestion throughout the city. Real estate in proximity to key transport hubs are expected to benefit from enhanced accessibility, and those developments which follow the principles of world-class TODs are likely to flourish in an increasingly competitive real estate market.
Well-planned mixed-use communities, have successfully leveraged on the metro connectivity to attract both residents and tourists
While TODs are more complex in nature compared to conventional mixed-use projects, they assist in addressing several key challenges that cities face during their expansionary phase. By developing successful TODs, for example, cities can provide more walkable, sustainable and socially inclusive communities, all within large urban centres and while leveraging on investment in public transport and infrastructure. As the region’s transport infrastructure expands across key cities, TODs are likely to play an increasingly important role in real estate and city development.