Monday, August 31, 2009
Cityscape Dubai to explore how best to survive and prepare for the recovery in a still rapidly changing economic environment
World comes to Dubai seeking answers
Cityscape Dubai to explore how best to survive and prepare for the recovery in a still rapidly changing economic environment
The world of real estate investment is to descend on the United Arab Emirates this autumn to seek solutions from what some have referred to as the first great depression of the 21st century, say the organisers of the Cityscape Dubai.
“With reduced liquidity and many projects on hold, investors, developers, architects, indeed the entire real estate industry around the world, is looking for answers to the same questions,” said Chris Speller, Cityscape Group Director. “How do we survive the recession? When can we expect stabilisation? When will the banks start lending again? When will the crisis turn into an opportunity?”
Cityscape Dubai, now in its eighth year and part of the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development brand in the world, encompasses a major exhibition and a series of conferences taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 5-8 October 2009.
“With the radical worldwide economic shakeout, attention has firmly turned onto realistic perspectives on the real estate investment landscape both globally and regionally,” Speller added. “Thousands of participants from more than 100 countries throughout the world have already registered to attend. They are serious players searching for specific answers, which is why Cityscape Dubai 2009 is embracing realism and transparency.”
Among them are companies such as ING Real Estate Investment Management of Hong Kong. Richard T.G. Price, CEO Asia, said: “It is more important than ever to get first hand insights from our clients and partners as to their objectives and expectations for the real estate markets around the world.”
Similarly, Jesper Koll, President and CEO of Tantallon Research, Japan, said: “We all want to know when the global crisis will turn into an opportunity. Cityscape Dubai is poised to help us find a solution.”
Kosta Petrov, Director of the Cityscape Dubai conference and the World Architecture Congress that runs in parallel, said this year’s event – while still the world’s largest real estate show of its kind – would not be about “out of this world” creations.
“Last year saw the beginning of what is being referred to by some economists as the first great depression of the 21st century,” he added. “With liquidity issues and many project developments still on pause, this year is about how best to survive and prepare for the recovery in a still rapidly changing economic environment. In terms of potential new business opportunities, Cityscape Dubai - as the world’s largest real estate show - has no global equivalent.”
Petrov said the Cityscape Dubai conference will bring together “some of the most powerful investors, developers and economists on the planet.” Meanwhile, the World Architecture Congress (5-7 October 2009) has been put together in association with Continental Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and UK chapters and the International Committee of the American Institute of Architects. “The world’s most respected visionaries will share their experience and outlook in a global recession,” he added.
In addition, the Cityscape Dubai Facilities and Asset Management Conference is on 4 – 8 October attracting delegates in the design, build and post-occupancy of buildings. There will also be a Cityscape Dubai “Green Day” on 7 October which will include green communities, green construction methods, energy saving issues, financing green buildings, regulations, facilities management, whole life costs and new materials and products.
For more information about Cityscape Dubai 2009, please visit www.cityscape.ae
About Cityscape
Cityscape, organised by IIR Middle East which is part of Informa plc, is the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development brand in the world, encompassing a series of major exhibitions and conferences that take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Asia; Saudi Arabia; USA; Latin America; India and Russia.
RTA to launch 17 New Bus Routes on 1 and 5 September
RTA to launch 17 New Bus Routes on 1 and 5 September
The step will boost the internal network, provide feeder service for metro stations
Roads & Transport Authority – Nashwan Al Taee:
The CEO of Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA) Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari revealed that the Agency would launch on the first of September (17) new bus routes in the emirate of Dubai as Feeder Services for Dubai Metro.
Al Dosari stated that the (17) routes would serve the metro stations of Rashidiya, Financial Center, Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Harbor & Tower at Dubai Marina. The buses would travel across several areas in the emirate rendering internal commuting by public transport modes in Dubai a speedy, smooth and effective experience.
The new routes include:
(FI) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Rashidiya metro station via Nad Al Hummer. 6 buses are deployed on this route to provide shuttle services from Saturday to Thursday, and the number of buses will be 4 on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F2) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Rashidiya metro station. 3 buses are deployed on this route from Saturday to Thursday, and the number of buses will be 2 on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F3) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Rashidiya metro station via West Midriff. 4 buses are deployed on this route during all week days, at 10 minutes headway.
(F4) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Rashidiya metro station via East Midriff. 6 buses are deployed on this route from Saturday to Thursday, and the number of buses will be 3 during Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F5) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Rashidiya metro station via Mizhar. 6 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, 10 buses from Sunday to Thursday, and 7 buses on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F10) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Rashidiya metro station via Al Warqa. 9 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, 7 buses from Sunday to Thursday, and 5 buses on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F13) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Financial Center station. 4 buses are deployed on this route on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, while 5 buses are deployed from Sunday to Thursday, at 10 minutes headway.
(F29) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Mall of the Emirates metro station via Al Barsha 2. 6 buses are deployed on this route from Saturday to Thursday, and the number of buses will be 5 during Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F30) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Mall of the Emirates metro station via Arabian Ranches. 7 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, 6 buses from Sunday to Thursday, and 5 buses on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F31) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Mall of the Emirates metro station via Eastern Meadows. 8 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, 11 buses from Sunday to Thursday, and 6 buses on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F33) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Mall of the Emirates metro station via Al Barsha 3. 5 buses are deployed on this route from Saturday to Thursday, and 3 buses on Fridays and holidays, at 10 minutes headway.
(F37) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Nakheel Harbor & Tower metro station via Dubai Marina. 5 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays & Fridays, and 7 buses from Sunday to Thursday, at 10 minutes headway.
On the first of September Public Transport Agency will also launch:
(F6) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Dubai Airport Terminal 3 metro station via Al Tawar 3. 4 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, and 5 buses from Sunday to Thursday.
(F7) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Dubai Airport Terminal 3 metro station via Al Garhoud 3. 4 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, and 4 buses from Sunday to Thursday.
(F8) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Dubai Airport Terminal 3 metro station via Al Qusais 1. 5 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, and 5 buses from Sunday to Thursday.
(F9) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Dubai Airport Terminal 3 metro station via Festival City. 4 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, and 5 buses from Sunday to Thursday. The routes heading for the Dubai International Airport Terminal (3) will run from (9) AM until (8) PM.
Public Transport Agency already launched in mid August two Bus Feeder Routes for Dubai Metro Stations, namely:
(F11) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Satwa Bus Station & Khazzan Park at that area passing through 3 Metro Stations namely Trade Center, Emirates Towers and Dubai International Financial Center. 5 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, 3 buses on Fridays and holidays, and 5 buses from Sunday to Thursday.
And (F48) Route: starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Ibn Battuta metro station via Dubai Investment Park. 12 buses are deployed on this route on Saturdays, 9 buses on Fridays and holidays, and 14 buses from Sunday to Thursday, at 10 minutes headway. The Agency also launched (6) Bus Feeder routes on 1 August 2009.
(F999) Route: a free of charge service will be launched on 5 September. It starts from Rowaya Bus Depot Station and heads to Nakheel Harbor & Tower metro station. 11 buses are deployed on this route on all week days, at 10 minutes headway.
Accordingly the number of routes of Bus Feeder Service of Dubai Metro Stations rises to 25 routes in which standard type buses are used.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Dubai Metro operations begin on 09/09/09 with 10 stations on the Red Line
Dubai Metro operations begin on 09/09/09 with 10 stations on the Red Line
Al Tayer: Dubai Metro service is set to run at 10 minutes headway at a rate of 6 trains per hour
Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will officially launch Dubai Metro on 09/09/2009, starting with 10 key stations on the Red Line, namely: Rashidiya, Terminal 3 (Dubai International Airport), City Center, Al Rigga, Union, Khalid bin Al Waleed, Jafliah, Financial Center, Mall of the Emirates, and Nakheel Harbour & Tower. The remaining stations on the Red Line will be opened in phases over the next few months.
The above announcement was made by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in a press conference held yesterday at the RTA headquarters, and said: “Launching Dubai Metro on September 9 is a true manifestation of the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to uplift the infrastructure of the emirate of Dubai. The RTA vision, which is based on the 3rd sector of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 (Infrastructure Sector), is now being realized. The Dubai Metro Project has been completed in a record-breaking period of less than 4 years since HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum laid the foundation of the Project on March 21, 2006.
Al Tayer said: “Throughout the construction works of Dubai Metro project, RTA remained highly committed to the best global safety standards, and sought the services of international entities to assess metro safety throughout all phases of the project. RTA was also keen to use the latest technology in rail industry and provide all means of comfort and welfare to passengers.
“ The RTA’s foremost interest is in the safety of Dubai Metro users. As such all focus and effort were put into getting the 10 stations ready in terms of infrastructure and operations. Extensive trial runs were done to make sure of this” he said.
Al Tayer continued: “Some stations are not operated, despite being fully ready long ago, as the property projects to be served by such stations have yet to be completed; which obviously means no passenger demand is foreseen for the time beingAn example of this is the Jebel Ali Station. Moreover, construction of some stations has not been completed due to the multiple systems of the metro itself”.
The RTA Chairman of the Board & Executive Director elaborated on Dubai Metro operations by saying: “During the holy month of Ramadan Dubai Metro service will run from Saturday to Thursday from 06.00 am up to 12.00 am (midnight), while on Friday the metro service will start from 02.00 pm to 12.00 am (midnight). After Ramadan the Metro service will run from Saturday to Thursday from 06.00 am up to 11.00 pm, while on Friday the metro service will start from 02.00 pm to 12.00 am (midnight).
“Dubai Metro service is set to run at 10 minutes headway at a rate of 6 trains per hour with an intake of 3858 passengers per hour per direction, and the volume of demand on the Red Line services is anticipated as 3500 passengers per hour per direction” he added.
Al Tayer went further to list the factors upon which the 10 stations have been selected for operation on 09/09/2009 and listed them as: “Population density in the area served by each station, availability of commercial activities in the vicinity of the station, availability of commercial government bodies in the nearby area, the link with multi-storey car parks, the link with other transport modes such as buses & water transport, technical readiness of the station, and the number of anticipated passengers in each station.
Al Tayer elaborated on the reasons for opening each individual station and said: “Opening of Rashidiya Station is important because it is the starting point of the Red Line on the East side of the city, and because it houses a multi-storey car park for 2750 vehicles and serves several highly populated areas such as Rashidiya, Mirdif, Al Mizhar, Al Warqa and Nad Al Hummar. Terminal 3 Station at Dubai International Airport will serve passengers arriving and departing Dubai City, while City Center, Al Rigga and Khalid bin Al Waleed Stations serve highly populated areas and commercial centers, with high traffic flow. Union Station serves the Central Business District along with several key government entities, wile the station is also located nearby a major bus station and many marine transport stations at the Dubai Creek, which make it a multi-modal station.
“Jafliah Station serves Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, Dubai Police Station, and the new Etisalat building. The opening of this station will reduce the pressure on roads and parking facilities for the large number of people who require these services regularly. The Financial Center Station will serve the business and financial district of Dubai, and also provide connection to several five-star hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road. Mall of the Emirates Station naturally serves one of the biggest malls in the emirate of Dubai, which is a destination for many residents and tourists, but also serves the Al Barsha area. Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station includes the second multi-storey car park on the Red Line on the West side of the city, which can accommodate up to 3000 vehicles” he continued.
Finally, Al Tayer said that the fare strucrure of mass transport systems in Dubai was designed to be affordable and said: “The metro fare is among the cheapest worldwide. For instance the fare of the trip from Rashidiya up to Jebel Ali is DHS 5.80 only. More than 700 Feeder Buses have been deployed to serve these stations on well planned and coordinated routes. These buses will have route numbers beginning with the letter F, and will be visible to all passengers waiting to use them for connetion to the earest Dubai Metro staion.
The press conference was attended by Abdul Majeed Al Khaja, CEO of Rail Agency; Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, CEO of Public Transport Agency and several directors of the RTA.
Photos:
Mattar Al Tayer during the press conference to announce the details of Dubai Metro operation
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