Latifa Bint Mohammed Gives Green Light For Governance System And 100-Day Plan To Develop Al Quoz Creative Zone

Approval finalised during project committee’s first meeting

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture),expressed her confidence in the ability of committee and executive team members of the Al Quoz Creative Zoneto work together effectivelyto develop the projectin accordance with the high standards outlined in its project plan.

She emphasised Dubai’s commitment to implement this unique national project in the best possible way in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai aglobal capital of the creative economy, the  preferred destination for creatives and the world’s best city to live and work.

Her Highness’s remarks came during the project committee’s first meeting chaired by her to discussthe implementation of the Al Quoz Creative Zone. The meeting, held in the presence of His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Vice Chairman of the Committee; His Excellency Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality; His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of Dubai Economy; His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, and Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism); and Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture,discusseda comprehensive proposal to manage the project, aiming to develop an integrated creative ecosystem for creatives, cultural innovators and entrepreneurs. The Zone will enhance the value of Al Quoz as a regional and global centre for designers and creativeswho wish to live, create and work within it and from a professional and lifestyle perspective.The meeting also deliberated on the approval for the project’s governance system and itsobjectives and progress indicators of the 100-day plan to implement its first phase.

Her Highness said: “This is a pioneering project with ambitious goals, and we want it to be the best model for a creative ecosystem locally and globally. We have a clear vision to accomplish this unique national projectin line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who continues to inspire us with his leadership and unique forward-thinking philosophy in shaping the future. I have confidence in the outstanding competence of all committee members and their ability to actualise this initiativeat the highest standards and to realise His Highness's vision for a future in which Dubai leads the global cultural scene and isthe pre-eminenthub for talent and enterprise in the creative economy.”

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa approved the governance system for the project, which definesthe roles and functions of allproject teams. The Executive Team includes Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, the Chairperson of the Team; Eng Hussain Al Banna, Executive Director of Traffic Department, Roads and Transport Authority(RTA), the Vice Chairperson of the Team; and representatives from Dubai Culture, RTA, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Economy, and wasl Asset Management Group.

The infrastructure development project team, headed by Eng Hussain Al Banna from RTA, includes representatives of Dubai Municipality, wasl Asset Management Group and Dubai Culture, while the creative community support project team is headed by Lina Zain Al Din from Dubai Culture and includes representatives from Dubai Economy and Dubai Tourism. All these teams are supported by a Dubai Culture team.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa emphasised the importance of integrating the roles of team members and the need for cooperation and team spirit.Her Highness also approved the 100-day plan, a comprehensive development plan that outlines the priorities for the teams and their goals and project indicators. Priorities for the infrastructure development project team include conducting a comparative study on similar projects that combine living, workingand public creative spaces; developing a multi-use space model; submitting recommendations to the project committee; and identifying activities related to the creative industries sector and necessary permits in the Al Quoz Creative Zone.

His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transportation Authority and Vice Chairman of the Al Quoz Creative Zone Committee, said: "The approval of the governance system for the project and the progress indicators of the 100-day plan marks the completion of a key stage in transforming the Al Quoz Creative Zone into an integrated centre that attracts innovative and creative individuals from around the world. The initiative will create an artistic and cultural destination for tourists.RTA supports the Al Quoz Creative Zone with a series of projects focused on facilitating the movement of residents and visitors to the area. It includes the redesign of roads and pathways in the area by developing an infrastructure to integrate various means of transportation and flexible mobility in Al Quoz and connecting the zone with the Al Safa metro station, the construction of common paths for pedestrians, bicycles and e-scooters, the implementation of a bridge designed creatively for pedestrians, bicycles and scooters on Al Manara Street, and the development of a bus route between Al Safa Metro station and the area's tourist and artistic attractions such as restaurants, shops and outdoor exhibitions. RTA will add aesthetic and innovative features across various facilities and transportation means in the Zone in alignment with the project’s brand identity.”

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