Sheikh Hamdan approves new Hor Al Anz development plan

This was announced by Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, who noted that the new plan was drafted following the municipality chairman's instructions to upgrade the living, residential and commercial standards of the area by amending the existing land-use rules and legislation.

The new plan defines the borders of Horal Anz Area as Salahaddin Street, AbuBakr Al Siddique Street, Al Rashid Road and Abu Hail. It seeks to raise the residential and commercial status of the area in terms of land-uses and encourages landlords to rebuild or upgrade buildings there in line with a set of new specifications.

"The new amendments come close on the heels of some previous recommendations to upgrade the general services in the area. Both the changes will bring in increased returns from investments on properties, as the previous legislation allowed only residential buildings and villas," said Mr. Lootah.

As per the new plan, Hor Al Anz has been divided into three areas with the land-use type having been defined as residential-commercial. In Area (1), ground floors of buildings have to be dedicated purely for commercial purpose while two floors shall be used as residential apartments, while in Area (2) ground floors of the buildings should be dedicated for parking and two floors as residential apartments. In Area (3), only investment villas are permitted with at least 1150 square feet for each villa that has to comply with other building specifications such as provisions for parking, courtyards, and other planning prerequisites, he explained.