Described as Dubai’s “flagship urban project,” Dubai World Central has come a long way in the past two years, since the Expo 2020 was announced. This city within a city, which includes Al Maktoum international Airport, has recently been re-branded as Dubai South.
Surrounded by Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Investment Park, and located between Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311 and Emirates Road E611, the 140 square kilometre master-planned project currently includes Al Maktoum Airport, Residential City, Logistics City and the Expo 2020 site – Which all jointly serve as a strategic platform for the growth and expansion of accommodation, light industry, aviation and logistics.
The entire master plan area now termed ‘Dubai South’ was created in 2006, as a Government of Dubai project, with potential to set the framework for the emirate’s economic future. With the announcement of the Expo 2020, key infrastructural development has been on the rise in the area. Particularly the Dubai Metro Expo 2020 extension “Route 2020”, which will pass through industrial zones and densely populated residential areas. With an approximate population of about 240,000, including Dubai Investment Park, Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Furjan and the Expo 2020 site. The rail extension includes an upcoming plan to construct three stations to serve Al Maktoum International Airport, which is designed to be the world’s largest airport, with an annual capacity of 160 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo upon completion. Potentially, the ecosystem of Dubai South is expected to generate over a half million jobs and additionally, it hopes to house around a million residents. The residential projects point towards the concept of ‘affordable housing’ and are presently being sold off-plan with competitive payment plans.
Research by ValuStrat revealed “…New affordable developments can greatly benefit from the well-established public transport, particularly the Dubai Metro. Within five years Dubai Metro’s Route 2020 and Etihad Rail will connect Dubai South, and further afield towards the Northern emirates and Abu Dhabi…”
Several other projects have been launched or are under construction around Dubai South, including accommodation to cater for the upcoming Expo, which expects approximately 25 million visitors to the area. Supply analysis by ValuStrat indicated“…Dubai South saw most hospitality launches during the first half of 2015. Hilton, Holiday Inn, Studio M, Aloft, Millennium, and Stay bridge Suites will add 2,535 hotel rooms between 2018 and 2019. Recent residential launches in Dubai South include MAG 5 Boulevard by Mag Property developments, with a total of 13 buildings under construction, contributing 1,118 apartments by the second quarter of 2018…”
The renaming is a positive progression, as the name Dubai South is hoped to become an iconic, more recognisable tag that articulates a user-friendly, urban community. Rather than the industrial and logistical vibe that the previous name may have conjured up to many.
Upon the rebranding, the chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum described Dubai South as “A vibrant economy, excellent roads, landmark buildings, and attractive recreational facilities are outstanding accomplishments we are proud of – but they are simply the means to a higher end, which is to facilitate the happiness of people,” adding that “The name is iconic and will become instantly recognisable for years to come.”
From the perspective of hindsight the concept looks promising. It is noteworthy that in its early days Dubai International Airport was mostly surrounded by industrial type neighbourhoods. However, over the years the area developed into a vibrant mixed-use environment.
The positive ‘ripple effect’ of the airport was felt in adjoining areas such as Deira and also spread out to Rashidiya and Mirdif – All of which experienced strong economic benefits and strengthened real estate demand on the back of the airport’s success. Therefore, though Dubai South may currently be an area of mostly industrial and warehouse type facilities, it’s likely evolution and advancement is already being displayed in the numerous residential and infrastructural projects that have been launched in time for the Expo 2020 and beyond.