EXCLUSIVE: Dubai plans more metro real estate projects

09 October 2017
Hotels and shops to be integrated into some metro stations on the Green Line extension

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to integrate transit-oriented development (TOD) projects on some of the 11 metro stations along the planned Dubai Metro Green Line extension, according to sources familiar with the plan.

Between two and four metro stations are likely to be developed as a TOD, which would include hotels and retail shops within the proximity of the stations.

RTA is currently engaged in final negotiations with local Al-Sharaf General Contracting (ASGC) for the contract to design, finance, build and maintain the Dubai Union Oasis, the emirate’s first TOD scheme.

It will be developed on a land above the underground station where the Dubai Metro Red and Green lines meet near Al-Nasr Square in Deira.

TODs are designed to help increase the usage of public transport networks including metros and buses.

MEED earlier reported that RTA plans to procure the 11 stations on the planned Dubai Metro Green Line extension using a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to sources familiar with the project, a tender for the scheme’s consultancy contract is expected to be issued in early 2018.

The extension will take the Green line from its existing terminus at Creek station in the Jadaf area, across the Creek to the Dubai Creek Harbour development and then onto Academic City.

The rail link will support the development of Dubai Creek Harbour. The 6 square-kilometre development will have a large shopping mall and The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour, which when completed is expected to be the world’s tallest man-made structure.

The connection to Silicon Oasis and Academic City will also be a catalyst to further development in that area of Dubai.

The Green line extension is just one future line that the RTA is considering. At the end of last year it awarded the UK’s Atkins a consultancy contract to update and modify the RTA’s proposed future metro lines and other public transport networks such as the tram.

The transport agency’s previous 2030 masterplan includes a 421-kilometre-long railway network with 197 stations.

Dubai is already working on a 15km long extension to the Red line. Last year the RTA awarded a AED10.6bn ($2.9bn) contract to design and build the Dubai Metro’s Route 2020 link to a consortium of Spain’s Acciona, Turkey’s Gulermak and France’s Alstom.

 

 

 

 

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