Dubai has approved a proposal to develop the Al Quoz Creative Zone into a global creative hub for creative professionals and entrepreneurs.
The 100-day plan consists of comprehensive development to make Dubai the world’s best city for artists and creative talent to work and live.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), expressed her confidence in the ability of committee and executive team members of the Al Quoz Creative Zone to work together effectively to develop the project in accordance with the high standards outlined in its project plan.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifah emphasized Dubai’s commitment to implement this unique national project in the best possible way in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global capital of the creative economy by 2025.
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“This is a pioneering project with ambitious goals, and we want it to be the best model for a creative ecosystem locally and globally. We have a clear vision to accomplish this unique national project in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who continues to inspire us with his leadership and unique forward-thinking philosophy in shaping the future. I have confidence in the outstanding competence of all committee members and their ability to actualise this initiative at the highest standards and to realise His Highness’s vision for a future in which Dubai leads the global cultural scene and is the pre-eminent hub for talent and enterprise in the creative economy,” Her Highness said.
Her Highness chaired the project committee’s first meeting to discuss the implementation of the Al Quoz Creative Zone.
The meeting is attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Vice Chairman of the Committee; Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of Dubai Economy; Helal Saeed Almarri, and Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism); and Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, discussed a comprehensive proposal to manage the project, aiming to develop an integrated creative ecosystem for creatives, cultural innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Al Quoz Creative Zone will enhance the value of Al Quoz as a regional and global centre for designers and creatives who wish to live, create and work within it and from a professional and lifestyle perspective.
The meeting also deliberated on the approval for the project’s governance system and its objectives and progress indicators of the 100-day plan to implement its first phase.
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For his part, Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transportation Authority and Vice Chairman of the Al Quoz Creative Zone Committee, said the RTA is ready to support the Al Quoz Creative Zone in transforming the Zone into an integrated centre that attracts innovative and creative individuals.
The plan includes redesign of roads and pathways in the area by developing an infrastructure to integrate various means of transportation and flexible mobility in Al Quoz and connecting the zone with the Al Safa metro station, the construction of common paths for pedestrians, bicycles and e-scooters, the implementation of a bridge designed creatively for pedestrians, bicycles and scooters on Al Manara Street, and the development of a bus route between Al Safa Metro station and the area’s tourist and artistic attractions such as restaurants, shops and outdoor exhibitions.
Meanwhile, the priorities for the infrastructure team include providing flexible mobility, launching the visitor transportation service from Al Safa Metro Station to the Al Quoz Creative Zone, developing the initial design for pedestrian routes and individual transportation means and providing advisory services (study and design) for transportation integration and flexible mobility in the Zone, in addition to renaming the streets in the area and encouraging landowners there to provide units for creatives.
Priorities for supporting the creatives include activating cultural visas for creatives in Al Quoz, launching a dedicated platform for them within ‘Invest in Dubai’, offering a membership programme called “Al Quoz Creative Membership”, and developing an integrated marketing strategy to attract talent and spread awareness locally and globally about the Zone. (RA)
