Special Features
Pedestrian Paradise
Dubai Municipality is planning to build a huge elevated platform along Dubai Creek over parking areas and roads on Baniyas Street in Deira. The 1.7 km long double deck walkway will be built on a stretch between Dubai Municipality and Dubai Municipality Library on the Baniyas Road.It will be 100 metres wide from the Municipality office to Sabkha Abra Station and its width will be reduced to 30 metres from Sabkha Abra station to the library.
The project also includes the construction of two pedestrian bridges to cross Dubai Creek near Shaikh Saeed House and Dubai Old Souq Area - the narrowest parts of the creek.
"We want to give more space to residents and visitors to ensure easy movement as we expect more pedestrian movement once the Dubai Metro project is complete in 2009," said Eisa Al Maidour, Assistant Director-General of Dubai Municipality for General Projects Affairs.
He told Gulf News that the project would benefit people who would be using water transport, buses and the metro.
The project will complement the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority’s plans to launch a new water transport service and improve its abra service. Also, it will ensure smooth movement for passengers using the metro and other public transport modes.
"We don’t want to disturb the huge parking area along the creek on Deira side but we will build an elevated platform, which will not only enhance the Dubai Creek waterfront beauty but also give more space to people in the area," said Al Maidour.
He said there would be a jogging track, colourful walkways, places to sit and relax, fountains, restaurants, cafeterias, public toilets and many other modern facilities.
He said car parking and Baniyas Road traffic will continue to operate.
"The project will also help reduce the number of visitors bringing their cars to the Central Business District (CBD) as they will use the facility to get water transport, buses or the metro and it will save a lot of time," he said.
Al Maidour said people living along Deira side also need space to relax and walk around.
"We already have enough space on the Bur Dubai side but the space is very little on the Deira side because of parking areas and dhow parking. The new project will help improve the situation," he said.
He said pedestrian bridges over the creek would help connect heritage areas such as Shaikh Saeed’s House in Shindagha and Al Ahmadiya School in Deira, located on opposite sides of the creek.
He said the project is still in the design stage and it will be offered for tender later this year once approved by the higher authorities.
He said the civic body will soon launch a project to reconstruct walls along Dubai Creek to ensure safety and avoid erosion.
Website: http://www.gulfnews.com/images/07/02/06/07_ae_pedestrian_walk.pdf
