The World

A master plan as richly imagined as The World requires a mix of aesthetic beauty and seamless functionality. From the width of the canals, the convenience of strategically placed transportation hubs and marinas to world-class commercial centers and the stunning halo-effect of the islands, the development is designed to provide visitors and residents an experience they’ll wish to return to again and again.

A journey. A saga. A legend. The World is today’s great development epic. An engineering odyssey to create an island paradise of sea, sand and sky, a destination has arrived that allows investors to chart their own course and make the world their own.An array of island parcels means an array of possibilities. Engineered to be flexible and designed to be unforgettable – a blank canvas in the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. An incomparable destination, The World is a collection of private islands that form a singular expression of exclusivity. Located off the coast of Dubai’s most desirable address, and created by Nakheel, Dubai’s premier developer, The World is quickly evolving into a one-of-a-kind destination and investment opportunity. As of late 2006, the islands are nearly 90% reclaimed. Developers are working to complete their plans for estate islands, residential and resort communities.

Dubai Metro

The Metro network will be fully integrated within the network operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), a body created in 2005. Routes will be organised around the backbone provided by the rail system. Taxi stations and park-and-ride facilities will be included in key Metro stations to further enhance the system's role.

The Project

Groundworks began in February 2006, centred around the 52.1km Red Line. In August 2006 a second contract worth US$.12bn was awarded to the MHI consortium for bulding the 17.6km Green Line, intersecting with Red Line at two stations. Green Line will link strategic locations Dubai Airport and Healthcare City. The aim is to open in 2010, one year after the Red Line. In June 2007 Serco (operator of the London Docklands Light Railway) was named as preferred bidder for initial consultation and the system’s operation and maintenance. The L400m contract, potentially for up to 12 and a half years, relates to the first two lines.

The Hydropolis Underwater Hotel and Resort

The Hydropolis Underwater Hotel and Resort is a planned hotel which will be the world's first underwater luxury resort. It's situated 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf, just off Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. Reinforced by concrete and steel, its Plexiglas walls and bubble-shaped dome ceilings will enable guests to see fish and other sea creatures. It is basically divided into three sections: the land station, where guests will be welcomed; the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel; and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It will cover an area of 260 hectares, about the size of London's Hyde Park, and will cost an estimated £300 million. It is self-acclaimed to be a 10-star hotel.

Dubai Sports City

Dubai Sports City is a very large sports centered complex within Dubailand, covering an area of 50,000,000 square feet (4.65 km2). Sports City is to have a large number of stadiums, including a multi-function stadium that has the capacity for 60,000 spectators. The other stadiums range in size, and include both indoor and outdoor stadiums. Sports City is also meant to hold a number of internationally acclaimed sports academies, for sports as varied as golf, tennis, cricket, and football (soccer). Sports City is also planned to have a sports themed mall on its grounds, so that its visitors may enjoy a shopping experience as well.

City of Arabia

City of Arabia features the long awaited Mall of Arabia, the world’s largest mall. The mall is planned to cover over 10,000,000 square feet (0.93 km2). The mall, which is set in distinctly Arabic style architecture, is to have a variety of themed areas. The City of Arabia is set to have the Restless Planet theme park. The theme park is of the prehistoric nature, and will have over 100 robotic dinosaurs. There will also be the Wadi Walk, an area set aside for family entertainment, that will have many gardens and street cafés, as well as dining and retail areas.

Great Dubai Wheel

The Great Dubai Wheel is a giant sized Ferris wheel that will be one of the largest in the world. The Ferris wheel is to be constructed larger than the one in London. This wheel will allow those seated in it to look out over the large expanses and numerous construction projects of Dubai.

Dubailand

Dubailand

Dubailand is possibly the largest project in dubail, covering an area of 3 billion square feet (more than 275 km2). The entire project will cost approximately AED 235 billion and will have a total of more than 45 large-scale projects within its confines. Among these numerous projects, there are more than 55 hotels, the world’s largest mall, a number of theme parks, eco-tourism projects. Other than the tourist attractions, there are also a large number of residential projects, with the intent of housing approximately 2.5 million people. Once the project is fully active, the predicted number of visitors is about 40,000 people per day.

Specific projects are described in more detail in other entries.