A developer of Net Zero sustainable cities, URB, has announced a massive coastal regeneration project in Dubai. The ambitious plan aims to plant 100 million new mangrove trees along 72km of coastline, providing lush greenery to the beaches.
Mangrove trees are known for their environmental benefits, as they absorb a significant amount of CO2 and help protect coasts from erosion. This project aims to absorb enough CO2 to compensate for the yearly emissions of 260,000 vehicles. Currently, six pilot zones are being researched, and these will be located on Jebel Ali Beach, Dubai Marina Beach, Jumeirah Public Beach, Umm Suqeim Beach, Mercato Beach, and Dubai Islands Beach.
Each of the test zones will include beach sports facilities, wildlife areas, and other features to examine how the mangroves will fare in Dubai’s environment.
The project aims to create 10,000 eco-tourism jobs, and the new green areas will include guided nature walks, educational programs, and conservation activities. A museum, visitor hub, and conservation center will also be built within the mangrove zones for residents and tourists to enjoy. The Botanical Museum would guide visitors through interactive exhibits that narrate the story of plant evolution and adaptation, with exhibits on coastal protection, climate change, and biodiversity. The glass-domed museum would also be a place for community engagement, with workshops, events, and seminars aimed at inspiring a generation of environmental stewards.
Known for their ability to sequester carbon dioxide, the mangroves would be able to remove 1.23 million tons of CO2 a year, according to the developer. That is the equivalent of taking more than 260,000 petrol-powered cars off the road.
The mangrove seeds will be planted by drones, which will ensure that the planting is done in the right locations efficiently.
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Dubai Mangroves was initially a part of Dubai Reefs, which was announced by URB last year. The project has now evolved into its own initiative. “Although separate, both initiatives complement each other and share connected objectives”, confirmed a URB representative.
Moreover, the project will also target marine life, restoring seagrass beds and coral reefs when complete in 2040.
