UAE: The Loop – Construction of a 93-km-Long “Urban Highway” in Dubai

The company URB, which implements projects for the emergence of more sustainable cities, have announced a new concept for the city of Dubai. “The Loop“ is the name of the project, through which Dubai is to evolve from a car-centric to a people-centric infrastructure. In order to realize this vision, a curved glass structure will be built in which a pedestrian and bicycle path will extend for a total length of 93 kilometers. The goal is to create a 20-minute city – based on the assumption that people are generally willing to walk a distance of up to 20 minutes. By 2040, 80 percent of residents should walk or bike to all core areas of the city. This should help the city reduce its emissions and contribute to a healthier lifestyle for residents. Every step taken in The Loop also generates renewable energy, as the walkways are kinetic energy conduits. The technology behind this works with electromagnetic induction generators that produce energy from the weight of a person‘s step, which is then fed into generators as renewable energy. The energy harvesting floors are made from recycled car tires. To motivate residents to collect steps, a dedicated app will also be developed in which users will be rewarded for the distance they walk each day.

© Courtesy of URB There will also be numerous green spaces, fitness and sports stations in the structures as well as leisure and wellness facilities, including wellness hotels to attract tourists. In addition, there will be a number of vertical farms, which are intended to produce food security by growing food. Overall, The Loop is expected to transform Dubai into a cleaner and more livable city. The CEO of The Loop, Baharash Bagherian, describes the project as follows: “Dubai is the best place for entrepreneurship in urban mobility. The Loop project is an embodiment of that entrepreneurial spirit, which aims to make Dubai the most connected city on earth by foot or bike. In Europe most people ride bicycles or walk to get to work. In Dubai, our aim is to get more than 80 percent of people to use a bike on a daily basis. Dubai is currently primarily built for car travel. Its major road infrastructures & networks have disconnected communities by walking or cycling, thus we need an entrepreneurial mindset in reconnecting these neighborhoods, whilst making cycling or walking the primary mode of transport all year round to any part of the city.“ The final route of the urban cycling highway is being finalized. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed this year. (eap)