93km climate-controlled Dubai highway: How proposed project will connect 3 million residents

93km climate-controlled Dubai highway: How proposed project will connect 3 million residents

There will be several entry and exit points along The Loop; plan features vertical farms, parks

Published: Mon 6 Feb 2023, 6:00 AM

A Dubai-based sustainable cities developer is aiming to create the world’s first closed loop structure around a city. Called ‘The Loop’, the concept will see 93-km climate-controlled cycle highway around Dubai. The project aims to connect more than 3 million residents to key services and locations within minutes by walking and cycling.

Photos released by URB show a closed structure that runs around the city. The project connects all of Dubai’s highest density districts. Here is a proposed map of the project:

“We have reached the stage of concept design and are now looking to develop it further to find the best optimum solution in route and phasing in line with commercial feasibility,” Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB, told Khaleej Times.

The Loop would be an enclosed structure with “evaporative cooling” to control the temperature. It will provide a “climate controlled all-year environment” to make walking and cycling the primary mode of transport for Dubai’s residents.

There will be several entry and exit points along the loop to connect with various communities and public areas, existing footpaths etc.

According to URB, it will use