Dubai, once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, has become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
From 1960 to 2020, Dubai's population grew 80-fold and its city and built-up area grew 170-fold from 3.2 square kilometers in the same period.
In March last year, Dubai published the Dubai Master Plan 2040, which sets out a blueprint for sustainable urban development over the next 20 years, providing citizens, residents and visitors with a better way of life and making Dubai one of the most livable cities in the world.
According to the plan, the local population is expected to increase from the current 3.3 million to nearly 6 million over the next 20 years. Subsequent development investment will be focused on five urban centers, with a 134% increase in the area of land for hotel and tourism activities, and an increase in land for commercial activities to 168 square kilometers.
It covers the historical neighborhoods and leisure centers that inherit the tradition, as well as the city's commercial and financial centers, and logistics and technology centers.
The 5 major urban centers are :
Deira and Bur Dubai highlight and showcase the heritage and legacy of Dubai.
Downtown Dubai and Business Bay serve as the city's business and financial centers, further showcasing and promoting economic vitality.
Dubai Marina and JBR will serve as the Dubai Leisure District, a new international tourism, leisure and hospitality hub.
As one of two major city centers, Expo 2020 will be the central area for the future MICE, tourism and logistics industries.
Silicon Oasis, one of the new city centers, will be developed as a major technology hub and knowledge center to promote innovation, digital economy development and nurture talent, with Dubai's third airport to be built nearby.
In addition to economic development, the integration of nature and humanity is also a priority.
Dubai will quadruple the size of its public beaches, increase space for education and healthcare by 25 percent, and nature reserves and natural rural areas will make up 60 percent of Dubai's land.
