The "X-Space" project from architects Mouaz Abouzaid and Dima Faraj to create a green space on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road won first prize in the World Architecture Festival's Smart Cities category.
The "X-Space" project from architects Mouaz Abouzaid and Dima Faraj to create a green space on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road won first prize in the World Architecture Festival's Smart Cities category.
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The proposal would see a one kilometer stretch of Dubai's main artery road transformed into a pedestrianized, social space split over two levels. <br /><br />This would have the benefits of cutting pollution and creating communal areas.
The proposal would see a one kilometer stretch of Dubai's main artery road transformed into a pedestrianized, social space split over two levels.

This would have the benefits of cutting pollution and creating communal areas.
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The lower level would be composed of gardens, trees and open spaces.
The lower level would be composed of gardens, trees and open spaces.
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The upper level would contain cafes, restaurants, gyms, and retail outlets.
The upper level would contain cafes, restaurants, gyms, and retail outlets.
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The World Architecture Festival praised the scheme as a "compelling vision for the regeneration of downtown Dubai (that) prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over vehicles."
The World Architecture Festival praised the scheme as a "compelling vision for the regeneration of downtown Dubai (that) prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over vehicles."
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Cars would instead travel under the garden level through a tunnel, although this would accommodate fewer vehicles.
Cars would instead travel under the garden level through a tunnel, although this would accommodate fewer vehicles.
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The architects are inspired by projects such as Madrid Rio park on the Manzanares river in Madrid, in which a busy, highly-polluted road was replaced by a popular social space. <br />
The architects are inspired by projects such as Madrid Rio park on the Manzanares river in Madrid, in which a busy, highly-polluted road was replaced by a popular social space.
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The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, saw an elevated highway demolished and replaced with a stream that has become a popular attraction.
The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, saw an elevated highway demolished and replaced with a stream that has become a popular attraction.
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Architect Mouaz Abouzaid says he has received "positive feedback" from government officials regarding his plans. <br /><br />The Government of Dubai has ambitious targets for making transport in the city more sustainable, including through the use of electric public transport - such as these autonomous 'smart pods' that have been on trial.
Architect Mouaz Abouzaid says he has received "positive feedback" from government officials regarding his plans.

The Government of Dubai has ambitious targets for making transport in the city more sustainable, including through the use of electric public transport - such as these autonomous 'smart pods' that have been on trial.
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Dubai is also pursuing a decarbonization strategy intended to achieve 75% clean fuel use by 2050, and has commissioned major infrastructure such as the $13.6bn Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
Dubai is also pursuing a decarbonization strategy intended to achieve 75% clean fuel use by 2050, and has commissioned major infrastructure such as the $13.6bn Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
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