A street in Al Fahidi in Bur Dubai, Dubai. ARCHIVE

Dubai is taking a significant step towards becoming a pedestrian-friendly city by transforming key residential and commercial areas into car-free zones. The areas that will first benefit from this initiative include Al Karama, Al Fahidi in Bur Dubai, Abu Hail, and Al Quoz Creative Zone. This came after the Executive Council of Dubai approved on Friday (February 7) the “Super Block” initiative, which aims to enhance quality of life, promote sustainable mobility, and foster social interaction. The move aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions, increasing green spaces, and providing shared public recreational spaces. Announcing the initiative, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, emphasized the city's commitment to modern urban planning. “We introduced the Super Block initiative to create car-free pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “Through these proactive initiatives, Dubai continues to set new global standards in community care, infrastructure, and digital innovation while fulfilling the aspirations of its people.” The project aims to designate urban spaces exclusively for pedestrians, making them vibrant social hubs with recreational spaces, retail areas, and cultural attractions. By limiting vehicle access, the initiative is expected to improve air quality and encourage eco-friendly modes of transport, such as cycling and walking. In addition to this, the Executive Council also approved the Unified Digital Platform initiative. This system aims to streamline government services through digital applications like Dubai Now, Invest in Dubai, and Visit Dubai. The ambitious goal is to fully digitize all government services by 2027, providing a seamless experience for residents and businesses alike. Another major announcement made during the meeting was the approval of the Strata Registration initiative. This initiative will allow UAE citizens to subdivide real estate units and issue independent title deeds. The goal is to increase homeownership opportunities and provide more flexible real estate options. The first phase of Strata Registration will focus on multi-storey buildings in areas like Al Nahda, Al Muraqqabat, and Al Karama. The second phase will extend to villa communities, offering Emirati families greater flexibility in property ownership. ICA/Expat Media
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