Eight Forthcoming Dubai World Records
Traveling to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) means experiencing what it’s like to be in a place that’s been heavily occupied with construction projects left and right in the last twenty years. And to think they’re not just the ordinary infrastructures we see rising up elsewhere – they’re potential world record breakers in terms of being the first, the tallest, or the largest.
One of current Dubai world records that must be mentioned here is the Dubai Mall, now the largest shopping mall in the world based on total area (1,124,000 sq. m. or 12.1 million sq. ft.).
Within the next ten years, several more Dubai world records are expected to be established. Here are eight:
1. Burj Dubai – “Tallest Freestanding Structure in the World”
Construction of this building began on September 21, 2004. Estimated completion date is January 4, 2010, at which time it should also be ready for occupancy. The Burj Dubai will be 818 meters (2,684 feet) tall, which will surpass the 610 meters (2,001 feet) height of China’s Guangzhou TV and Sightseeing Tower. This project has a total budget of approximately 4.1 billion US dollars (USD 4.1 billion).
2. Dubai Marina – “Largest Man-made Waterfront and Largest Man-made Marina in the World”
This project has two phases. Phase 1 covers 10.12 hectares, while phase 2 is expected to have more than 200 high-rise buildings. Once both phases are completed, the Dubai Marina will send the Marina del Rey (located in California, USA) down to second place.
3. Hydropolis Underwater Hotel and Resort – “First Luxury Underwater Hotel in the World”
This project is situated 20 meters (66 feet) below the Persian Gulf’s surface. It will have an area of 642.5 acres. The Hydropolis Underwater Hotel and Resort has a total budget of USD 482.5 million.
4. Dubailand – “Biggest Amusement Park in the World”
On October 23, 2003, Dubai announced the construction of what is believed will become the world’s biggest entertainment complex – Dubailand. This project will cover about 278 square kilometers (107 square miles) of land. Within the complex will rise 45 vast projects and some 200 secondary ones.
5. Dubai World Central International Airport (DWC) – “Largest Passenger and Cargo Hub in the World”
This project, when completed, will surpass two similar facilities in two different categories – annual cargo capacity and annual passenger capacity. In the first category, DWC will push Memphis International Airport down to second place, with its 12 million-ton per year cargo capacity; in the second, it is expected to surpass the 90 million per year passenger capacity of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with its 150 million per year figure. This project is estimated to be fully operational by the year 2017.
6. The Tower in Motion – “First Rotating Skyscraper in the World”
This project will have a total of 80 floors. The first 20 floors will serve as the building’s retail section; the 21st to the 35th floors will have a luxurious hotel; the next 35 floors will have the usual units of accommodation; and the 10 uppermost floors will have suburban residence-style apartments, designed with yard and garden space.
As per the project’s design, each floor will have the capability to rotate independently right or left. This will be made possible by a “voice recognition” technology, which may be programmed in any language. This means that the building’s occupants will be able enjoy constantly-changing views.
7. The 6th Crossing – “Longest and Tallest Arch Bridge in the World”
This project is also called the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing. It is expected to be completed in 2012. It will have a length of 1.6 kilometers (about 1 mile), a width of 64 meters (210 feet), and an altitude of 15 meters (49 feet) above the water level. Each of the traffic directions will have 6 lanes. On an hourly basis, the bridge is expected to be able to carry 20,000 vehicles. At the center of the bridge will be a track, which is intended for the Green Line of Dubai Metro. The 6th Crossing has a total budget of USD 681 million.
8. Dubai Metro – “Longest Fully Automated Rail System in the World”
The original plan for this “driverless” project shows it will have at least two lines. The first, called the Red Line, is partially in operation; the second (called the Green Line), which will have a distance of 20 kilometers (12.43 miles), is under construction. When both lines become fully operational, it will cover a total distance of 72 kilometers (44.7 miles), enough to bring the Vancouver Skytrain down to second place.
Outside of these mega construction projects, there are other Dubai world records now in place. For example, there is the Dubai World Cup, which is billed the “Richest Horse Race in the World.” The horse race has a prize fund of USD 10 million. Dubai also boasts of the Golden Star, which is labeled the “Longest and Most Expensive Yacht in the World.” The yacht measures 160 meters (525 feet) in length, and is valued at more than USD 300 million.
