The Green Paths to Future initiative in Dubai spans about 10 miles and stands as a groundbreaking eco-project to redefine Dubai’s urban landscape, spearheading a transformational change in sustainability, liveability and climate resilience.
Dubai’s Green Paths to Future initiative was conceived to address the pressing challenges of rapid urbanisation causing desertification, urban heat islands and high energy consumption. Desertification leads to arable land loss and biodiversity decline. Urban heat islands worsen scorching temperatures, impacting health and increasing cooling energy use. Some sources say that over the next century cities such as Dubai may become unlivable as they will be too hot to sustain human life.
Related: Neste works with Dubai for SAF
Industrial areas add air pollution, heat emissions, greenhouse gases and water stress. They disrupt habitats, worsen air quality and strain resources. For Expo 2020, Dubai planted over twenty thousand trees, covering 2.3 million m2, mitigating desertification, enhancing air quality and reducing soil erosion. Addressing industrial impact was crucial for a sustainable Expo and a better Dubai.
We’d like to see more trees planted. Although the Dutch company Airshades is a low-energy idea to provide shade for residents in Dubai, natural cover by trees will be better for beauty, climate change, and overall health.
Trees provide roots systems to absorb water that can dampen the effects of unprecedented, torrential rainfalls that put parts of the United Arab Emirates underwater last week, bringing Dubai to a standstill.
Airshades at Masdar City outside of Dubai
Green paths and tree planting mean sustainable, accessible green pathways that offer residents and visitors an enhanced quality of life while combating the urban heat island effect, boosting air quality, and fostering a more vibrant urban environment.
The initiative’s design draws from innovative strategies. It incorporates sustainable landscaping with drought-resistant plant species, integrates modular elements for adaptability, and employs intelligent irrigation systems for efficient water usage. The project is a balance of large infrastructure insertion in a city fabric blended with the landscape to balance and enhance a sustainable design approach.
The results of the Green Paths to Future initiative are both measurable and remarkable. Over 20,000 trees were planted, and more than four million seedlings are strategically placed around roadsides leading to the Expo 2020 venue, effectively creating a new green urban landscape. Beyond its aesthetic impact, the initiative has tangibly improved air quality and introduced sustainable urban mobility solutions.
With Expo 2020 Dubai being a catalyst, the initiative has addressed immediate challenges and created a legacy that contributes to Dubai’s long-term goals. The collaborative effort between governmental bodies, private sector stakeholders and the community showcases Dubai’s commitment to holistic sustainability. The initiative’s success has attracted global events like the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28), highlighting its impact on the City’s international standing.
Moreover, our landscape projects have a profound impact across social, economic and environmental domains, backed by air quality tests for quantifiable data. Socially, green enhancements improve air quality, enhancing public health and fostering community interaction, enriching the quality of life for all.
Economically, these projects raise property values, attracting tourism and commerce, bolstering local businesses, and reducing healthcare costs through improved air quality, leading to sustained economic growth. Environmentally, our initiatives combat air pollution, sequester carbon and mitigate urban heat islands, aligning with climate goals and enhancing biodiversity.
These projects align with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, UAE’s UN Sustainable Development Goals, and national sustainability agendas, positioning Dubai as a pioneering green city.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist and publisher that founded Green Prophet to unite a prosperous Middle East. She shows through her work that positive, inspiring dialogue creates action that impacts people, business and planet. She has published in thought-leading newspapers and magazines globally, owns an IoT tech chip patent, and is part of teams that build world-changing products to make agriculture and our planet more sustainable. Reach out directly to [email protected]
