Dubai: The ‘city’ being built around the Al Maktoum International Airport has a new name — ‘Dubai South’, which will encompass all of 145 square kilometres. Dubai South will be embody the spirit of the individual and be built around the universal theme of ‘happiness’, according to a top official.
One complete the new city is expected to generate over 500,000 jobs and sustain a resident base twice that number. Dubai South will also host the Wold Expo 2020 venue as well as the Dubai Airshow series.
It also hosts the Al Maktoum International Airport, which will become the world’s largest once complete.
The move to name the location follows passage of Law No. 11 of 2015 issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which established Dubai World Central as a subsidiary of Dubai Aviation City Corporation.
Dubai World Central will continue to administrative authority for Dubai South.
“Dubai South is the emirate’s flagship urban project that will set benchmarks for the rest of the emirate in terms of manifesting the themes of happiness as set out in Dubai Plan 2021,” said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the master-developer.
“The Government of Dubai has been working to build a new destination — which we are naming Dubai South — where individuals can empower themselves to achieve their legitimate aspirations to the greater good of society,” Shaikh Ahmad, who is also President and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, added.
“The name is iconic, and will become instantly recognisable for years to come.”
Dubai South’s two urban dimensions — of living and commerce — are reflected in the logo, which is a mixture of green and blue. Green represents living, while the commerce and industry element is represented by blue.
The Al Maktoum International Airport will have capacity to fly 220 million passengers and 16 million tonnes of cargo a year.
“A vibrant economy, excellent roads, landmark buildings, and attractive recreational facilities are outstanding accomplishments we are proud of — but they are simply the means to a higher end, which is to facilitate the happiness of people,” said Shaikh Ahmad.
“Over the decades, Dubai’s leadership and its people have worked together to transform the emirate into one of the world’s most desirable destinations.
Apart from the Dubai Government led developments, Dubai South will also feature a broad array of private developer activities. Once the entire stock of its residential capacity is built, it is expected to ease pressure on the residential overload felt in some of the city’s older and established neighbourhoods.
