Dubai, already one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, is about to get another huge draw, as a developer has just announced a gigantic new agritourism project—Agri Hub by URB—that’s set to be build out in the emirate’s desert.
The developer, URB, says it will be a new experience with entertainment and adventure, as well as providing food security—a huge move towards the region’s green future and sustainability projects.
“Dubai’s rural and agricultural rich communities are best positioned to become a global benchmark for agritourism,” Baharash Bagherian, chief executive of URB said in an announcement.
“Agri Hub is a highly attractive and activity-rich environment, which will transform Dubai into the world’s best rural visitor attraction in the world.”
What is Agri Hub? Inside the plans to turn Dubai into a sustainable tourism destination
The space will be a huge boost for local farmers, who will have space eto sell products from their farms directly, with eco-friendly shopping, dining and ‘edutainment’ experiences for visitors, Bagherian told the National.
“Beyond becoming a new tourism experience in the countryside and wilderness of Dubai, the project will also promote greater health, well-being, and prosperity for rural local inhabitants.”
Dubai Agri Hub will feature a nature and heritage conservation centre. Photo: URB
“Ultimately, it will serve as an innovative blueprint for decarbonised rural tourism hubs of the future,” Mr Bagherian said.
Some of the project’s environmental features include 100 per cent renewable energy, 100 per cent water recycling, bio-saline agriculture, green transit systems and on-site zero waste management.
A few locations are being studied for feasibility, with the exact location to be confirmed in 2024. Construction is due to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2030.
URB will be managing development and master planning with net zero sustainable city models in mind, and plans to create 10,000 jobs.
URB will also be building the ‘Dubai Urban Tech District’ along the Creek in Al Jaddaf, which is focused on urban technology, education and training. The company is also building Xzero City in Kuwait, which will house 100,000 people in a sustainable net zero city, Alnana Smart City in Riyadh, which will home 44,000, and NexGen Sustainable City in Egypt, which will home 35,000.
Currently, 90% of food consumed in the country is imported from outside, making AgriTech a key initative for the country moving forward.
As for what this could mean from an entertainment perspective, this is currently anyone’s guess, but with a project this big, expect it to be ambitious. (So, probably not hayrides through the sand dunes.)
We’ll keep you posted as we learn more. Stay sustainable, everyone.
And in the mean time, checkout this plan one designer had to transform Dubai’s skyline with a giant ring around the city.