THE LOOP | DUBAI
THE LOOP in Dubai is a new 93 km sustainable urban highway. The project will become the smartest cycling & running infrastructure anywhere in the world.
THE LOOP aims to connect more than 3 million residents using a healthy mode of transport, to key services & locations by walking and cycling within minutes. It will provide an enjoyable climate controlled all-year environment, to make walking & cycling the primary mode of transport for Dubai’s residents, in line with its new 20-minute city initiative. The aim is to make cycling & walking the primary mode of transport for daily commutes for more than 80% of Dubai’s residents by 2040.
There is currently a big gap in the connections between cycling & public urban transport. The more the two are integrated, the easier it will become for Dubai’s residents to combine cycling & public transport on their daily commutes over a long distance. Safety & year-round useability are some of the critical issues, which THE LOOP also provides. THE LOOP is thus a paradigm shift from car-centric infrastructure to people-centric infrastructure. It will make urban mobility a joyful experience for Dubai residents whilst also making them healthy.
KEY FACTS
- 93 km
- Zero emissions transport system
- 100% renewable energy using kinetic power
- 100% recycled water for irrigation
- Additional amenities for residents
- Promotes health & wellbeing
- Vertical farms for food security
THE LOOP project in Dubai will provide the world’s smartest cycling & walking infrastructure, which will promote a higher quality of life.
Cycling is a major global trend & a daily source of mobility in some parts of the world. The key challenge in Dubai is that the infrastructure & existing urban fabric is engineered primarily for the use of cars. Thus swapping cars for bikes in an existing highly-developed car-oriented city, requires a seismic shift in urban planning as well as the infrastructure required to enable that shift.
With newly built mega highways & road infrastructures already shaping the way people move around, we need bold visions that will accelerate the transition towards cycling & walking between neighborhoods. Active mobility is more manageable to implement at a neighborhood level, yet at a city-wide level where there are major highways disconnecting communities and the primary mode of travel is on the road itself, opportunities for creative solutions that are safe, pollution-free, resilient & enjoyable to use 24/7 all year round are required.
THE LOOP will reduce car dependency by enabling urban residents to walk or cycle to essential amenities within a few minutes from their homes.
80% OF RESIDENTS WILL CYCLE OR WALK TO ALL KEY AREAS IN DUBAI BY 2040
THE 20-MINUTE CITY
The project is in line with Dubai’s ambition of becoming a 20 minute city, where residents are able to access daily needs & destinations within 20 minutes by foot or bicycle. Active mobility is one of the critical components for creating healthy liveable cities. In the past few years, Dubai has strived to become the world’s most liveable city and launched the 2040 urban masterplan. As such Urban mobility has become a key priority supporting tourism.
THE LOOP will shift the primary mode of transport in Dubai away from cars & taxis. The aim is to make walking, running & cycling one of the primary modes of transports, whilst providing better social infrastructures & facilities for residents, to make Dubai the best place in the world for living.
THE LOOP looks to embrace the Dubai 2040 urban masterplan, by providing better connectivity, resilient infrastructures & shared facilities for neighborhoods. It will become the world’s largest urban sharing facility where multiple neighborhoods can share the same amenities, thus also promoting social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
Image Source: URB
THE LOOP WILL PROVIDE SHARED FACILITIES POWERED BY KINETIC ENERGY
MORE THAN SUSTAINABILITY
Beyond emission reductions, sustainable active mobility also provides many other benefits, such as but not limited to improved social cohesion, environmental & public health.
The design of THE LOOP improves public health, is resilient to natural hazards and mitigates climate change with broader benefits including, increased physical activity and social cohesion. THE LOOP is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to create inclusive, safe, resilient & sustainable cities.
The project will promote a sustainable and healthy city by encouraging residents to walk or cycle in a highly enjoyable, safe & activity-rich green corridor.
THE LOOP will also have its own app, to give residents rewards for the length of cycling or walking they made daily. The more a resident uses THE LOOP, the more rewards are given. This will motivate residents to make more use of sustainable modes of transport & bring economic benefits to both citizens & governments. Citizens will be healthier & happier, whilst CO2 emissions associated with Urban Mobility will be significantly reduced.
Source: URB