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WAFX: Premier Destination on Sheikh Zayed Road

Jon Summers05 mins

X-Space Project: Sustainable Urban Development in Dubai

The ‘X-Space’ project from architects Mouaz Abouzaid and Dima Faraj aims to transform a stretch of Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road into a vibrant green space. This initiative recently won first prize in the Smart Cities category at the World Architecture Festival.

Concept and Design

The proposal envisions a one-kilometer stretch of Dubai’s main artery road reimagined as a pedestrianized, social space distributed over two levels. This innovative design will:

  • Reduce pollution levels.
  • Create communal areas for social interaction.
Transformation proposal for Dubai's main artery road.
The proposal would see a one-kilometer stretch of Dubai’s main artery road transformed into a pedestrianized, social space split over two levels. This would have the benefits of cutting pollution and creating communal areas.

Levels of the Proposed Space

The design includes distinct levels that cater to different activities:

  • Lower Level: Designed with gardens, trees, and open spaces for relaxation and recreation.
  • Upper Level: Features cafes, restaurants, gyms, and retail outlets catering to residents and visitors alike.
Lower level of the proposal with gardens.
The lower level would be composed of gardens, trees, and open spaces.
Upper level with commercial outlets.
The upper level would contain cafes, restaurants, gyms, and retail outlets.

Impact on Transportation

The urban landscape reconfiguration includes rerouting vehicles to travel beneath the garden level through a tunnel, significantly prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist mobility. The World Architecture Festival described the plan as “a compelling vision for the regeneration of downtown Dubai that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over vehicles.”

Tunnel for vehicles under the garden level.
Cars would instead travel under the garden level through a tunnel, although this would accommodate fewer vehicles.

Inspiration from Other Projects

Architects Abouzaid and Faraj drew inspiration from successful examples such as:

  • Madrid Rio: An initiative that transformed a polluted road along the Manzanares River into a beloved green space.
  • Cheonggyecheon Restoration in Seoul: A project that replaced an elevated highway with a stream, greatly enhancing the aesthetic and ecological environment of the area.
Madrid Rio Park.
The architects are inspired by projects such as Madrid Rio park on the Manzanares river in Madrid, in which a busy, highly-polluted road was replaced by a popular social space.
Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul.
The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, saw an elevated highway demolished and replaced with a stream that has become a popular attraction.

Future of Sustainable Transport in Dubai

Architect Mouaz Abouzaid has indicated that he has received positive feedback from officials in Dubai regarding the X-Space project. The Government of Dubai remains focused on sustainable urban development, including plans for electric public transport options, such as autonomous ‘smart pods’ currently in trial phases.

Sustainable transport initiatives in Dubai.
Architect Mouaz Abouzaid says he has received positive feedback from government officials regarding his plans. The Government of Dubai has ambitious targets for making transport in the city more sustainable, including through the use of electric public transport.

Decarbonization Goals

Dubai has set a notable goal of achieving 75% clean fuel use by 2050, aligning with its broader decarbonization strategy. Noteworthy infrastructure projects, like the $13.6 billion Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, are part of this intensive undertaking.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
Dubai is also pursuing a decarbonization strategy intended to achieve 75% clean fuel use by 2050, and has commissioned major infrastructure such as the $13.6bn Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.


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