Love to walk, but not sure where to do it in Dubai all-year round outside of a mall? The Loop, a massive project dedicated to walking, cycling, and general wellness, is about to become one of Dubai’s biggest hotspots, and answer all those questions.
Yep, Dubai is building a 93 kilometre-long air-conditioned walking and cycling path that will, as the name suggests, loop around Dubai, connecting 3 million residents in a way that people have long craved.
What is in the Loop? You can get an idea from the picture below, a snaking structure that will be full of wellness areas, and even wellness hotels, including luxury, normal and budget hotels, as well as fitness stations and sports courts.
Inside the serpentine structure will be parks, playgrounds, greenery and other areas where people can hang out, relax, and enjoy life outside of a retail area.
Colour us excited, because this sounds like the project that could take life in Dubai to the highest heights, all while building to a sustainable future. Genuinely, wow.
Where will The Loop be located?
The project is still in the planning, research and development phase, and has yet to be fully approved, but it’s proposed to link Expo City, JLT, Al Quoz, Downtown Dubai, Meydan and Academic City.
The developers are still working out “the best options for the project, and this includes the final route, phasing, and timelines,” according to The National.
This isn’t going to be far off though, the first phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, the newspaper reported.
Who is URB?
If you recognize the name URB, that’s because they’re also the ones building Agri Hub, Dubai’s agritourism destination that will transform the deserts of Dubai towards a sustainable future. Read more about that here.
What is The Loop? Dubai’s new mega-project
The Loop is even more ambitious than that. The loop will use 100 per cent renewable energy using kinetic power, have a zero emissions transport system, use 100 percent recycled water for irrigation, as well as provide additional amenities for residents, and also have vertical farms for food security, much like Agri Hub.
“Dubai is the best place for entrepreneurship in urban mobility. THE LOOP project is an embodiment of that entrepreneurial spirit, which aims to make Dubai the most connected city on earth by foot or bike,” URB chief executive officer Baharash Bagherian explained.
“The LOOP is the future of urban mobility infrastructures, which are more than sustainable transport systems. These types of infrastructures are spaces and utilities for people, where various leisure and community services can also be provided. These types of infrastructures are an enjoyable mode of sustainable transport, no matter the weather conditions,” Bagherian adds.
“[The Loop will offer a] healthy mode of transport, access to key services and locations by walking and cycling within minutes,” says sustainable architecture firm URB.
“It will provide an enjoyable climate controlled all-year environment, to make walking & cycling the primary mode of transport for Dubai’s residents, in line with its new 20-minute city initiative. The aim is to make cycling and walking the primary mode of transport for daily commutes for more than 80 percent of Dubai’s residents by 2040,” URB continues
Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan
The plan is part of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s plan to transform Dubai into a 20-miute city, with pedestrians as a central part of Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
“Today, we have a clear vision for the development of Dubai’s urban infrastructure and housing sector until 2040. Our goal is for Dubai to be an eco- and pedestrian-friendly city, and a city with a high yield from urban agriculture,” the Dubai leader said.