Dubai is always lauded for its iconic skyline, but doesn’t 72 km of coastline sheathed with 100 million trees sound even better? Dubai Mangroves will be brought to lush life by URB, the developer behind the Dubai Reefs Project and The Loop in Dubai. The city is known for its marvelous man-made attractions, a charming yet concrete world that will now also boast the world’s largest coastal regeneration. This way, they will succeed in integrating ecological preservation with urban development, with mangroves playing an imperative role in it all. Mangroves are known for their ability to sequester carbon, support marine life, and ensure food security.
Per Designboom, the step in ecological preservation will also lead to absorbing approximately 12.3 kg of CO2 annually per tree, resulting in eliminating a whopping 1.23 million tonnes annually. In Dubai-related terms, this can offset the CO2 emitted from 260,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles yearly. The initiative aligns with the Dubai 2040 Master Plan, positioning Dubai as one of the most resilient cities and a pioneer in the field of coastal and urban ecosystem preservation.
The initiative is not only environmental but also features edutainment assets, such as the Mangrove Visitor Hub, that highlights the importance of mangroves. The Botanical Museum and the Nature Reserve Conservation Center will foster research, education, and promote environmental stewardship. “This project is much more than coastal regeneration or resilience; it’s about setting a global standard for how cities can balance the needs of the planet with the needs of the people,” explained Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB.
Currently, in its research and design stage, Dubai Mangroves proposed six pilot design studies across areas like Jebel Ali Beach, Dubai Marina Beach, Jumeirah Public Beach, Umm Suqeim Beach, Mercato Beach, and Dubai Islands Beach. The areas will witness new infrastructure with beach sports facilities, habitats for wildlife, running, and cycling tracks. The Dubai Mangroves project will be a vibrant addition to an already dazzling city.
