The “Dubai Green Spine” will be a 40-mile highway along the coastal Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, named after the current Emirati president, according to a statement from the firm behind the plans. At the center of the World’s Greenest Highway project is a mass afforestation effort, and its designers aim to plant more than a million trees, comprising native and foreign species, along the new highway.
Developer of the World’s Greenest Highway Project
Green Spine is the brainchild of Urb, a Dubai-based architectural firm that designs “net zero sustainable cities” across the Persian Gulf. Urb’s other notable projects include the Dubai Mangroves, an ecotourism-focused coastal regeneration initiative, and the Alnama Smart City in Riyadh. Baharash Bagherian, CEO of Urb, said that the Green Spine will make Dubai a “more livable and human-centric” city. He sees Green Spine as at the forefront of a wider shift in the urban planning paradigm, and one which prioritizes “people and green spaces over cars.”
“It challenges conventional infrastructure norms, proving that our streets can do more than facilitate car traffic; they can significantly enhance quality of life,” Bagherian said.
According to Urb, the Green Spine will combine “cutting-edge sustainability, enhanced community living, and pioneering green infrastructure to redefine urban mobility.”
Solar panels will be “extensively integrated” into the walkable route, taking advantage of the region’s arid and sunny climate.
Energy Capacity of the Project
If successful, Urb believes that the Green Spine can generate over 300 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power around 130,000 homes in Dubai, while reducing the city’s CO2 emissions by around 1,051,200 tons annually.
However, the project will also feature “advanced energy storage solutions,” which Urb revealed would help to account for the intermittent nature of solar power, though it did not provide specifics on these systems.
“The shift to solar energy not only helps mitigate climate change but also improves air quality, reduces dependence on imported fuels, and enhances energy security,” Urb said. The new green spaces will be integrated with cycling tracks, pedestrian paths and a 100 percent solar-powered tram system, “creating a seamless and environmentally friendly transportation network.”
Significance of the Project
Moreover, its designers describe the project as a “strategic endeavor to cultivate a greener, more livable city.”
“By converting one of the city’s major arterial roads into a multifunctional public realm, the project introduces extensive greenery, promotes non-motorized transport, and integrates renewable energy sources,” Urb said.
The project is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and fostering vibrant, interconnected communities across the city.
The Master Plan, unveiled in 2021, outlined several initiatives toward “sustainable urban development,” in preparation for an anticipated 5 million increase in the city’s residents by 2040.
Lastly, according to Urb, the plan will require “robust infrastructure,” and they are confident that the Green Spine will be capable of adapting to the “changing climate conditions and urban demands” that lie ahead for Dubai.
