Homes near to office or metro top Dubai residents' property wish list, says Limitless

Being able to walk to work is the top priority when choosing somewhere to live for nearly 40% of people in the emirate, while having a Metro nearby is the most important factor for almost one in three (29%).

What's more, residents say they are prepared to pay more for these privileges, according to the research, which was carried out for Limitless by AMRB. Good views are third on residents' property wish list, followed by a socially active community and a view of a park.

The findings support Limitless' philosophy of moving people, not cars, and will be used to fine-tune the company's projects to suit the needs of residents and business located in them. Among them, The Galleries at Downtown Jebel Ali in Dubai, where a series of mixed-use communities served by a range of transport, including the Metro, will enable people to live and work in the same area - without needing a car.

Cars are currently the most popular form of transport in Dubai - residents drive, on average, on 24 days each month, with 80% travelling by car each week - but drivers will switch to the Metro for some journeys when the new service opens. One in four people will use it up to three times a week; one in five daily; and one in eight up to six times each week, the study found.

Saeed Ahmed Saeed, CEO of Limitless, said: "Congestion is costly to health, wellbeing, the environment and the economy. There are an estimated 600m vehicles crowding the roads on our planet, costing tens of billions of dollars each year in wasted fuel and lost productivity.

"Walkable communities, served by green transport systems, will reduce carbon emissions, cut congestion and allow people to spend less time on the road and more with those who matter. Our research sends out a clear message: people want to walk more and try alternative transport, to the extent that it influences where they live and how much they are willing to pay."

At Downtown Jebel Ali, the company's mixed-use project under construction along Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, the first community - The Galleries - is rapidly taking shape. The eight building complex, within walking distance of a Metro station, includes offices, apartments, retail and cultural facilities, with extensive shaded outdoor areas for walking and relaxation. Currently, 12 global and local companies have over 1,000 employees based in The Galleries' first four office towers, with more businesses and retailers moving in shortly. In addition, 300 apartments in the first residential tower will soon be available for lease, while a mosque for 500 worshippers is due to break ground by the end of 2009.