Nakheel eyes more green spaces for Dubai

Indebted Dubai property developer Nakheel is planning to build more parks and communal green areas, the government-owned firm’s chairman said as he opened a new AED24m (US$6.5m) park on Palm Jumeirah.

"We have vacant space in most of our communities and so we are looking at building more parks and communal areas. We want to add more green space to our communities," Ali Rashid Lootah said.

The announcement comes as Nakheel opened Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah on UAE National Day on December 3. The new 1.1m sqft sustainable, green area contains around 60 varieties of trees and plants and a 3.2km jogging track.

"Al Ittihad Park is a new, unique venue for residents to walk, jog or simply relax in natural, shaded surroundings, and a new tourist attraction for visitors to the UAE who want to learn about our country's diverse plantlife," Lootah said.

Last month, Dubai ruler HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced plans to build a new multi-billion dollar project called Mohammed Bin Rashid City.

The project, to be built by Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties, will include the world's biggest shopping mall, a Universal Studio-branded theme park and a green space that is planned to be a third bigger than Hyde Park in London.

The new city will be located between Emirates Road, Al Khail Road and Shaikh Zayed Road, and will include Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens Project. The development will also include residential areas built on green building standards in terms of energy consumption, waste treatment and conservation of natural environment.