The Higher Committee of the Al Quoz Creative Zone Development Project has set its priorities for the next phase to enhance the emirate’s competitiveness and Dubai’s status as a leading destination for talent from all over the world.
The Committee has also decided to ensure the completion of the project, in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as the global capital of the creative economy and the world’s best city to live and work in.
The project, scheduled to be completed by 2025, is being implemented to ensure Dubai’s future economy relies on sustainable knowledge and creativity.
The meeting presided over by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, to review the Project’s progress and achievements in its first year, also announced expansion of the Higher Committee to include three new members representing Dubai Police, Digital Dubai Authority and the Government of Dubai Media Office, WAM reported.
The decision is aimed at ensuring the participation of a wider set of relevant government entities that will support the implementation of the Project’s plan.
“We will continue to strengthen our efforts to enhance the emirate’s position as a global creative hub that develops innovative and inspiring creative projects,” Sheikha Latifa said addressing the meeting.
“We have been studying various international best practices for the establishment of creative zones and we aim to make the Al Quoz Creative Zone an exceptional model for a creative zone in line with our leadership’s vision,” Sheikha Latifa added.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Vice Chairman of the Committee; Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Dawoud Al Hajri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Director-General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.
Mattar Al Tayer said RTA would add creative and aesthetic touches to public transport and flexible mobility vehicles and infrastructure so that they will be in harmony with the beautiful design of the zone.
Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, said that since its launch, the Project was being developed in accordance with a 100-day plan that was approved by the Higher Committee in its first meeting after its formation.
Al Quoz Creative Zone Dashboard
Badri stressed that to coordinate efforts, track all projects and take the necessary decisions, an effective system was developed to monitor the Project’s progress via the ‘Al Quoz Creative Zone Dashboard’, that includes inputs from several governmental and semi-governmental entities. Badri said the Dashboard has enabled partners to get a comprehensive view of the Project’s performance through a set of indicators on the progress of the implementation plan.
The Zone’s performance is measured through several pillars that compare the achieved results with the targets.
Indicators cover, among other things, the infrastructure, management of the creative zone, development projects of the creative zone, events and opportunities and the impact of the Zone on creative community interaction and satisfaction and its economic and social impact within the emirate.
Dawoud Al Hajri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that the Dubai Municipality has completed an urban analysis of Al Quoz Creative Zone and developed an economic study and comprehensive vision, including planning alternatives.
“We have also identified the next steps, which include preparing the final masterplan, defining the developmental requirements, setting the executive plan and its stages, and proposing some quick solutions to attract artists and investors.
“Dubai Municipality is working in cooperation with relevant government and private entities to ensure that the final masterplan of the Project would take into consideration all key matters,” Al Hajri said.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said with Dubai returning to normality, a key focus will be on leveraging the strategic, legislative and regulatory enablers that are being constantly rolled out, including multiple visa categories that create pathways for deeper engagement in Dubai.
“These initiatives give more flexibility and options for a new generation of creative talent, entrepreneurs and innovators to come and remain in the emirate while bringing Dubai closer to its goal of becoming the most sought-after destination to visit and the best city in the world to live and work in,” Al Marri said.
Supporting the plan
Within the framework of meeting the objectives of the Project’s plan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued directives to exempt tenants rebuilding or renovating their properties to benefit the creative community in Al Quoz Creative Zone from rent for up to two years.
Dubai Culture has also provided the opportunity for artisans, creatives and manufacturers in Al Quoz to apply for the long-term cultural visa approved by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2019.
Project’s master plan
The master plan will include designing the urban space to meet the development needs for activities, investment and individuals, studying the financial model for Al Quoz in light of the real estate market and developing a detailed programme on the uses and floor areas.
The plan will also include preparing the building development standards, the public space development plan, implementation programme, development priorities, spatial stages, and spatial indicators.
By 2026, the master plan is expected to support Al Quoz Creative Zone with facilities that will house 6,800 creatives.
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