Dubai rolls out Metro today

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurating Dubai's Metro rail network tonight, will fittingly see another dynamic aspect of his vision for the emirate come into reality.At 9pm tonight, five train compartments will make their way from Mall of the Emirates to Rashidiya, propelling Dubai into the annals of history.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurating Dubai's Metro rail network tonight, will fittingly see another dynamic aspect of his vision for the emirate come into reality.
The Dubai Metro is a driverless, fully automated metro network in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai. The Red Line is partly operational, the Green Line is still under construction, and further lines are planned. These first two lines run underground in the city centre and on elevated viaducts elsewhere. All trains and stations are air conditioned with platform edge doors to make this possible.
The first section of the Red Line, covering 10 stations, was ceremonially inaugurated on September 9, 2009 with the line opening to the public at 6 AM on September 10 once the 20km Green line opens in June 2010, the Dubai Metro will overtake the title of longest automated metro network from the Vancouver Sky train, surpassing it by 3km.
Planning of the Dubai Metro began under the directive of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who expected other projects to attract 15 million visitors to Dubai by 2010. The combination of a rapidly-growing population (expected to reach 3 million by 2017) and severe traffic congestion necessitated the building of an urban rail system to provide additional public transportation capacity, relieve motor traffic, and provide infrastructure for additional development.
In May 2005 a AED 12.45 billion design and build contract was awarded to the Dubai Rail Link (DURL) consortium made up of Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi. The first phase (worth AED 15.5 billion/US$4.2 billion) covers 35 kilometres (22 mi) of the proposed network, including the Red Line between Al Rashidiya and the Jebel Ali Free Zone set for completion by September 2009 and the Green Line from Al Qusais 2 to Al Jaddaf 1. This is to be completed by June 2010. A second phase contract was subsequently signed in July 2006 and includes extensions to the initial routes. The Red Line will partially open on 9 September 2009 though according to an RTA official some of the stations will not open due to delays of the project. The construction cost of the Dubai Metro project has shot up by about 80 per cent from the original AED 15.5 billion/US$4.2 billion to AED 28 billion/US$7.6 billion. The authorities said the cost of the project did not overshoot. They attributed the increase in expenditure to the major changes in the scope and design of the project. The authorities also expect to generate AED 18 billion/US$4.9 billion in income over the next 10 years. But they speculate that the Metro would not be a profit-making enterprise since the fares would be subsidized.
Work officially commenced on the construction of the metro on March 21, 2006. Still in February 2009 a top RTA Rail Agency official said "The $4.2 billion Dubai Metro project would be completed on schedule despite global crisis," however, 2 weeks before the planned opening the RTA had to admit that only 10 out of 29 metro station of the red line will be ready to open in time and the project plan slipped embarrassingly
Dubai Metro network
When completed, Dubai Metro will have 70 kilometres (43 mi) of lines, and 47 stations (including 9 underground stations). Two lines are under construction, and three more are planned.

Red Line viaduct in February 2009Red Line: 50 kilometres (31 mi) line with 31 stations from Jebel Ali Port, the American University in Dubai, through the city centre to Al Rashidiya. This line will be the first to open, making history on 9th September 2009.
Green Line: 20 kilometres (12 mi) line with 22 stations from Festival City, through the city centre, Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 and the Airport Free Zone. This line was proposed to open in March 2010, however the Dubai RTA confirmed at the end of August 2009 that the Green Line will not open until June 2010, completing the first phase of the Dubai Metro.
Purple Line: 49 kilometers (30 mi) Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport, along Al Khail Road. Construction commenced in March 2009 and be operational by 2012. It will have about 8 stations on the route, 3 with check in facilities. .

Safety and security ensured on board RTA buses in Dubai

As part of its awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the benefits of using public transport buses, the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is paying special attention to safety and security measures on board its buses, by equipping them with the latest safety systems to ensure meeting international safety standards.

RTA has equipped its new fleet of buses with i-Shift gear system, specially designed to increase driver’s comfort and reduce the risks of road accidents. The buses are also fitted with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that gives drivers a better control of the bus, ensures its stability on the road and significantly minimizes the risk of skidding or sliding, thus boosting passengers comfort.

In accordance with international safety and security standards, RTA has fitted all its buses with emergency exits and windows, in addition to modern alarm systems, fire extinguishers and first aid kits.
To make sure these measures are standards and well optimized, RTA organizes special training course for bus drivers so that they know the locations and operation of all emergency exits & windows on both sides of the bus, rear exits as well as roof hatches. Drivers are also trained to know the location and method of lifting the fire extinguisher and First Aid Kit from their brackets, as well as the location and usage of any communication equipment on board the bus.

Dubai faces homes surplus of 30,600 by year-end JP Morgan

Dubai is set to have a surplus of up to 31,000 residential units mainly due to the decline in the expat population by the end of the year, according to a new report by JP Morgan.
The investment bank's study into real estate in the Middle East and North Africa region said despite a recent small pickup in transaction volumes, supply overhang in the Dubai property market would reach 28,500 units by end 2009 due to the modest economic forecast and negative population growth estimates.
"Our demand supply balance is based on the difference between cumulative supply of 253,000 available by end 2008 and required units derived using average household size of 5.8 per unit and potential repossessions from mortgage defaults.
"This takes our cumulative residential supply overhang to 30,600 by end 2009, though most of the overhang is attributable to fresh supply and incremental supply from repossessed units only accounts for six per cent of the total surplus in 2009, as per our estimates."
Beyond 2009, JP Morgan feels the forecast 3.5 percent population growth for Dubai is unlikely to absorb the upcoming supply of residential units, Emirates Business reported on Thursday, citing the study."However, we expect the impact of this overhang will largely be felt by recently supplied and upcoming units in new and outer Dubai area, where the occupancy levels are relatively low making price recovery a slow and painful process."
The report added: "The prospect of negative population growth and slow economic recovery does paint a cautious picture for Dubai's residential market in the near to medium term, where rising demand supply surplus may hamper price recovery."
However, JP Morgan added that due to Dubai's unique status as a liberal, tax-free and business-friendly destination, the banks could not rule out surprise demand recovery from regional investors.
By contrast, the short-term supply of homes in Abu Dhabi remains fairly limited, according to the report.
"We believe that high occupancy levels are unlikely to ease from near 100 per cent any time soon." JP Morgan said.

Burj Dubai world tallest tower -The last cladding Panel ready for installation

The last cladding panel – number 24348 – is ready and waiting for installation at Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building.
In the coming weeks, Arabian Aluminium Company – a member of Al Ghurair Construction Industries LLC – will send the six-metre panel to the site for installation at the bottom of the tower’s spire.
Cladding work on the gigantic project began in April 2007, and panels of more 18 different strength specifications and over 200 sizes have been used on the tower, all of them double-glazed and factory-sealed.
The main materials used in the cladding are reflective glazing, aluminium mullions and textured steel spandrels with vertical stainless steel tubular fins.

Victory Heights hands over the 100th set of keys

Dubai, UAE, 27 July 2009 — On the 27th July, Victory Heights was delighted to announce another major project milestone, handing over the 100th set of keys to a new homeowner, who will be joining the rapidly growing community in this landmark development within Dubai Sports City.
The handover began in the Estella and Carmen Villages, and has been carried out in a carefully controlled fashion, to ensure that the new residents are able to enjoy a high quality experience as they move into their new homes. Following closely behind the first 100, Victory Heights has also issued handover letters for an additional 150 homeowners, who are expected to move in within the next few weeks. Villas in the Novellia, Esmeralda, and Oliva Villages are next in line for handover.
“We are very proud with the quality of the product which is now being delivered to homeowners, and the reaction of the new residents to their new homes has been exceptionally positive. It is exciting to be witnessing the successful culmination of this project, Dubai’s foremost golf residential development”, commented Victory Heights’ General Manager, Yasser Al Raee.
Mr. Arun Khehar, Victory Heights hundredth client, stated that being part of a milestone of the project has been a delightful experience. “Victory Heights has impressed me with the quality of my home and their commitment to customer service, resulting in my opinion, a smooth and efficient hand over process. I look forward to the experience of being a part of a community that has a unique mix of beautiful landscaping, life style amenities, and of course living close to a championship golf course. It is indeed a very special and exciting moment for my family,” said Mr. Khehar.
Covering some 25 million square feet, Victory Heights is an exclusive villa community offering 963 beautifully designed villas and town homes set in and around The Els golf course. In operation now, the 18-hole championship golf course has been designed by renowned golfer Ernie Els and is complimented by the Butch Harmon Golf Academy. Additionally, tennis legend, David Lloyd will have his academy based within the community.
Located in Dubai Sports City, the world’s first integrated sports city, this sought-after development will present a comprehensive variety of amenities including schools, retail and community facilities and a world-class range of sports and leisure facilities.

The world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai ready for soft launch in September

The world's tallest man-made structure, will see a "soft opening" on Sept. 9 this year in tandem with the launch of Dubai Metro.The groundbreaking for Burj Dubai took place in Sept. 2004 and was originally slated for completion by late 2008.

The building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called "Downtown Burj Dubai" at the "First Interchange" along Sheikh Zayed Road at Financial Centre Road (previously known as Doha Street). The tower's architect is Adrian Smith, who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006.The Chicago-based architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project. The primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix along with Arabtec.Turner Construction Company was chosen as the construction manager.
The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about US$4.1 billion, and for the entire new "Downtown Dubai", US$20 billion. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Dubai had reached $4,000 per sq ft (over $43,000 per m2) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Dubai, were selling for US$3,500 per sq ft (over $37,500 per m2).