Sharjah 24 – WAM: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan, spanning an area of 2,216 square kilometres.

The Plan seeks to preserve the nature of areas including Lehbab, Margham, Al Marmoom, Al Lisaili, Al Faqaa and Al Aweer, and provide a variety of services and amenities to residents and visitors to enhance their wellbeing.

It also aims to offer a unique touristic experience and transform each area into a key tourist destination in the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed also approved a host of development projects and initiatives to support the development of countryside and rural areas in Dubai.

The projects will seek to protect natural reserves and archaeological sites, support farmers and local products and create investment opportunities for inhabitants.

The Supreme Committee for Urban Planning will be in charge of implementing and governing the projects.

His Highness approved the Plan during his visit to the Dunes Platform at Saih Al Salam, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance.

His Highness was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner-General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Wellbeing Pillar and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning.

Sheikh Mohammed was then briefed in detail about the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan and the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route project.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “We have issued directives to ensure the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan brings direct economic returns for the people residing in these areas.”

"Today, Dubai is the most beautiful city in the world. We also seek to make the rural areas of Dubai some of the most beautiful and enjoyable places,” His Highness added.

Also accompanying His Highness during his visit were Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan will serve as a comprehensive plan for the next 20 years, in line with the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.

The Plan includes development projects and initiatives to serve the needs of residents, in line with the vision of His Highness to transform Dubai into the world’s best city to live in.

The Master Plan will establish a distinct identity for each district, support farmers by offering them opportunities to sell their local products, and transform Dubai’s countryside and rural areas into key tourist destinations.

The Plan aims to improve the efficiency of public facilities and services for residents and visitors and develop public parks and traffic solutions to ease mobility. It also seeks to develop sustainable transportation systems that operate direct bus trips from the main stations to these areas and provide designated zones for bicycles and scooters.