DUBAI // A project to create the longest corniche in the emirate has been approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The Jumeirah Corniche development, to be constructed along the beach starting from the area behind Dubai Marine Beach Resort down to Burj Al Arab Hotel, will run 14 kilometers in length, making it the longest corniche in Dubai.
It will comprise parks, beaches and additional tourist attractions with infrastructure to encourage people towards a healthier way of life – from running tracks to swimming and rowing facilities.
Developers were told to link both the walkway and the jogging track with the Dubai Canal Project, also being constructed, and have been given a one year deadline for the Corniche’s completion.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Our objective is to achieve peoples’ happiness. We are keen to establish all the necessary components to make Emiratis, expatriates and visitors happy and enjoying quality life. Our developmental projects are integrating to attain this ultimate goal. We are committed to investing in healthy human capital through providing an ideal enabling environment.”
Encouraging a healthier lifestyle was a key component behind the development, said the Vice President, who stressed that sport and physical activity are essential elements for society and a fundamental prerequisite for having healthy and productive individuals.
“We instructed the concerned authorities to increase the number of walking and jogging tracks around the emirate and we will create and develop more to serve various residential areas in Dubai. We hope the people of Dubai will make use of these tracks and practice sports for the betterment of their bodies and minds. A lazy individual lacks positive energy and does not innovate or create. We have great hopes for the future, and these hopes will not correlate unless we have healthy and fit people who are able to fulfill their duties toward themselves and their families and stand up to their community and country,” said Sheikh Mohammed, who toured the project site yesterday.
“The project aims to transform the sandy beach into a more vibrant area by adding aesthetic, recreational elements and public services for beach goers, be it residents or tourists who flock to Dubai beaches. Dubai is a favorite tourist destination for many nationalities, especially during vacations and holidays,” said Mattar Al Tayer, the head of the Roads and Transport Authority.
mswan@thenational.ae
