Dubai, known for its love of superlatives, is now setting its sights on creating the “world’s greenest highway.” This ambitious project aims to transform a 64-kilometer-long arterial road in the city into a green oasis, similar to New York City’s High Line.
The project, spearheaded by architecture studio Urb, will see the highway lined with over a million trees, providing a lush and vibrant environment for both locals and tourists. In addition to the greenery, the highway will feature pedestrian walkways and a solar-powered tram system, designed to reduce car dependency and tackle air pollution in the city.
The solar farm powering the tram system is expected to be substantial, capable of not only running the transportation system but also providing energy for 130,000 Dubai homes. The project will also incorporate native plants and flowers, further enhancing the greenery and beauty of the highway.
One of the main goals of the “world’s greenest highway” is to create a more livable and human-centric city by encouraging people to use alternative modes of transportation. By prioritizing pedestrians and green spaces over cars, Dubai hopes to improve the quality of life for its residents and visitors.
The Dubai Green Spine project is part of the city’s larger 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to transform Dubai into a “20-minute city” where residents can easily access amenities within a 20-minute walk from their homes. In addition to the greenery and transportation improvements, the Green Spine will also include sports facilities and playgrounds, making it a destination in its own right.
Urb’s CEO, Baharash Bagherian, believes that the Dubai Green Spine project is a key step towards creating a more vibrant and healthy urban environment. By reimagining urban spaces as places for people, rather than cars, Dubai hopes to enhance the city’s overall well-being and connectivity.
In addition to the Green Spine project, Urb is also working on “The Loop,” a complementary initiative aimed at making Dubai the most connected city on foot or bike. By creating a network of pedestrian and cycling paths, Dubai hopes to further reduce car dependency and improve the overall quality of life for its residents.
Despite the challenges of transforming a car-centric city like Dubai, Bagherian remains optimistic about the potential impact of the Green Spine project. By prioritizing green spaces and human-centric design, Dubai is taking a bold step towards creating a more sustainable and livable city for all.
As the city works towards its goal of becoming the “world’s greenest highway,” it will be interesting to see how the project unfolds and whether it can truly transform Dubai into a more environmentally friendly and people-centered city. With its ambitious vision and innovative approach, Dubai is setting a new standard for sustainable urban development that could serve as a model for cities around the world.