Dubai World Central makes urban planning history

Notes and media contacts

Dubai World Central International Airport:
This new facility will be 10 times the size of the current Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village combined. Its passenger capacity of over 120 million passengers a year can be judged in context alongside the world's busiest airport Atlanta which in 2004, for which the latest figures are available, handled 83.5 million passengers.

The airport will have six parallel runways all of 4.5 kilometres in length and separated by a minimum of 800 metres and a 92 metre high control tower - the highest in the Middle East - the 'flower concept' icon design of which will create an aviation landmark for the region. The control tower will be fully equipped with the latest in avionics and navigational aids. Control tower construction will begin in October this year.

There will be two luxurious terminals - the first dedicated to the services of airlines within the Emirates Group, the second catering to other regional and international carriers. A third, highly functional terminal is earmarked for low cost charter airlines. Dedicated facilities are earmarked for executive jet operators.

The airport will also boast hotels and shopping malls, support facilities and state-of-the-art maintenance facilities which will create a regional maintenance hub capable of A, B and C checks on all aircraft, including the A380.

JXB will be linked to the existing, award-winning Dubai International Airport (DXB) via an express rail system and ultimately will be serviced by the Dubai Light Railway Network (Dubai Metro). Some 100,000 car parking spaces will be available for airport parking and car rental services.

Dubai Logistics City:
This key plank in Dubai's unique truly integrated multi-modal logistics proposition represents Phase I of Dubai World Central. It is designed as the region's unchallenged logistics hub with a geographic consumer footprint of some two billion people throughout the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, African and the CIS - and all within three-to-four hours flying time from Dubai.

Spanning 25 square kilometres, Dubai Logistics City is designed to ultimately handle 12 million tonnes of air cargo annually in up to 16 air cargo terminals.

Work on the project, which is due to be operational at the end of next year, is already underway. Work is progressing on the first 4.5 kilometre, CAT III, all-weather runway which allows for automatic landing.

Dubai Logistics City will also have its own aviation area, a dedicated cluster for specialised aviation industry suppliers and offering direct apron access and a dedicated labour village accommodating up to 40,000 workers in purpose-built surroundings. The labour village, in a built-up area of 350,000 square metres, will be built and managed by Dubai Logistics City and will set a new benchmark in labour accommodation. Dubai Logistics City will also have state-of-the-art office buildings, land plots for dedicated industrial business, trading companies, distributors, logistics service providers and forwarders, shared facilities, such as warehouses and modern air-side cargo handling facilities.

e-customs for all shipments will be introduced within the year.

Residential City:
To be developed in three phases and covering some 7.16 million square metres, freehold land plots in Residential City are to be offered to developers on the open market who will then build in accordance with masterplan guidelines. Up to 250,000 people are expected to live in the 'city' where some 20,000 people will be employed. The Dubai Metro will serve Residential City which will also have a dedicated, integrated road network.

The city will include three hotels - five-star, four-star and three-star properties - and a shopping mall.

Homes will be a mix of two-storey villas and luxury apartments in blocks ranging up to 24 storeys in height. One area of the masterplan has been earmarked for labour accommodation which will be operated by Dubai World Central to safeguard standards.

Marketing of land plots will begin immediately after Arabian Travel Market.

Residential City will have a full range of civic amenities including schools.

Development will begin at the end of this year.

Commercial City:
To be developed in five phases, this 'city' will cover some 14.53 million square metres. Designed as Dubai World Central's business and finance hub, Commercial City will feature more than 850 towers, ranging from 6-75 storeys in height - which will be home to a variety of businesses expected to employ around 130,000 people and offer superdeluxe homes. A cluster of luxury villas are also included in the masterplan.

The taller blocks, which will be at the perimeter of the 'city' will have views of Nakheel's Arabian Canal project. The 'city' will also boast up to 25 hotels ranging from deluxe, through to five-star, four-star and three-star. Land plots are to be sold to leading developers who will build in accordance with the approved Dubai World Central masterplan and design requirements.

Golf Resort:
To be offered on the open market to a private developer, Dubai World Central will feature two 18-hole golf courses each having a distinct feel from a traditional desert links style to a more lush tropical resort course. In addition to the courses there will be extensive practice facilities, driving ranges and putting greens as well as a luxury clubhouse with restaurants and a pro-shop.

Up to 2,500 freehold homes - ranging from two storey villas to 24-storey apartment blocks - will surround the courses - and will be around six kilometres away from the airport and back on to Nakheel's Arabian Canal project.

The golf resort will also feature a high-end boutique hotel complete with a spa resort and around 150 rooms. Development will begin at the end of 2008 and will take two years to complete.

Enterprise Park:
This will be the region's premier centre of excellence for technology manufacturing and science and technology education.

For further information: Barbara Saunders, MCS/Action, PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +9714 390 2960; Fax: +9714 390 8161.