Gulf Construction Online - $5bn Dubailand project launched

UAE Focus

$5bn Dubailand project launched

01 November 2003

Dubai has launched the Dh18 billion ($5 billion) Dubailand project, said to be the biggest project in the tourism, leisure and the entertainment sectors in the Middle East.

The project comes after two years of intensive studies and research with the participation of international consultancy companies. Construction of the main elements of the project is expected to start soon. The opening date for Dubailand is scheduled for the last quarter of 2006.

The project will be built alongside Emirates Road next to Nad Al Sheba, Al Qouz and Al Basha, will have easy access from Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Airport, and Sharjah and will be approached through Emirates Ring Road and other Northern Emirates.

The total area of the project will exceed 2 billion sq ft. Work on the infrastructure has already started, and the construction of the main elements is expected to start soon.
The Government of Dubai will spend Dh2.6 billion ($709 million) in developing the first phase of the infrastructure. Local and international investors are invited to take part in this project.

The project will include 45 main projects and 200 sub projects distributed on six main divisions as follows:

'Adventure World' over an area of 145 million sq ft that includes Pharaohs, Aqua, Snow, Space, Mid-Ages and Science Worlds and Space hotel;

'Sports World' covering an area of 206 million sq ft which will include Sports City, Extreme Sports, and Race and Horse-Riding Worlds;

'Eco Tourism World' extending over an area of 806 million sq ft and carrying an investment of Dh4 billion. It will include Dinosaur World, Science and History Museum, World of Sound and Light and the Animal World;

Themes Leisure and Vacation World;

Shopping World, and Family City World.

Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), will manage the Dubailand.