Dubailand is the vision of Dubai’s current ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It will be a city divided into seven themed worlds and attract 15 million tourists to Dubai by 2010. This amazing new project taken up by the rulers of the land will see some of the world’s most spectacular green architecture take shape and add to the already existing image of Dubai being the ‘Sandbox of world’s green architects’. The title is no joke as Dubai already sports some magnificent green structures like the Rotating Wind Tower which are simple out of this world. Now Dubailand will have Xeritown- A fantastic green urban complex that will be designed to suit the local climate.
The master plan of Xeritown consists of a number of dense urban clusters located within the landscape. The 60-acre town will be built across a north-south axis to exploit the cool breezes blowing in off the sea. The orientation of the town will allow the cool sea breeze into the town and block the hot desert breeze out. The whole town has been designed keeping in mind the climate, landscape and environment of Dubai. The town’s name draws from xeriscape principles and has been designed to minimize water use.
It has many in-built green features that make it an absolute eco-marvel and a boon for the planet. For non-domestic uses, recycled grey water or industrial waste water will be used. The town will encourage a pedestrian-orientated lifestyle, and only two-lane streets will be made to significantly reduce the number of vehicles. The buildings will be tall and provide shades for the streets, instead of water dependent trees. Large flat circular structures fitted with photovoltaic cells will hang over walkways on the streets. So come 2010 Dubai will just extend its green horizon and attract more tourists to take a look at green goodness!
