Dubai unveils ‘world’s largest coastal regeneration project’

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(CNN) — More than 70 kilometers of coastline in Dubai could become the scene of “the world’s largest coastal regeneration project” if a project called Dubai Mangroves is carried out.

As part of the project, more than 100 million mangroves will be planted, a group of trees and shrubs that live mainly in coastal waters, where they are capable of supporting entire ecosystems. According to URB, the sustainable cities promoter behind the initiative, this would be enough to absorb more than 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to removing 260,000 gasoline vehicles from circulation.

“Mangroves are nature’s defense system against coastal erosion and sea level rise, which is a significant problem for any coastal city, including Dubai,” says Bahrash Bagherian, urban planner and founder of URB.

“We are currently in the investigation phase,” he added. “We have identified six locations for the proposed pilot study as the next phase and are focusing on the design for those locations. We hope That the project will be completed by 2040.”

better than tropical jungle

Other URB projects, still in the planning stage, are a master plan to provide Dubai with more than 1,000 kilometers of bicycle paths by 2040 and Dubai Reefs, a floating community for marine research and ecotourism that includes the world’s largest reef. Will include artificial rock. World.

Dubai Mangroves was initially proposed as part of Dubai Reefs, and later highlighted as a stand-alone initiative. According to Bagherian, it aims to address a number of environmental and urban challenges.

“Primarily, it aims to combat the effects of climate change,” he says, which is achieved due to the natural ability of mangroves to mitigate sea level rise, gradually increasing the distance between sea and land. The ability to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, creating a buffer zone.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), mangroves are able to do this 10 times faster than mature tropical forests and can store carbon three to five times more densely.

They also provide other benefits, as they act as nurseries for marine life and create natural habitats for fish, birds and other plants, increasing biodiversity. They directly improve the economy of coastal communities by supporting fishing and aquaculture, as well as providing raw materials for crafts and manufacturing.

Ultimately, as other mangrove hotspots around the world demonstrate, they could become tourist attractions. “The project aims to raise the level of ecologically responsible tourism, creating an environment where visitors can enjoy nature without harming it,” says Bagherian. The goal is not only to attract tourists, but to encourage them to actively participate in conservation. Of natural heritage.

Facilities planned for the visitor center include a conservation center staffed by marine biologists and a large herbarium.

artificial intelligence gardener

Technology will play a key role in both the development and operation of Dubai Mangroves, using artificial intelligence (AI) to continuously monitor the plants. “We are exploring the use of cutting-edge tools such as drone reforestation to efficiently plant mangroves and remote sensing technology to monitor the health and growth of mangroves,” explains Bagherian.

The drones will place mangrove seeds precisely in locations where they have the best chance of survival. Satellite images will then be used to get an overview of the mangrove cover, making it easier to identify areas that need more attention. Additionally, AI-based analytics can process large amounts of data to guide biologists and urban planners on restoration measures and policy decisions.

Six areas are currently being considered for pilot studies that will form the basis of the final project plan: Jebel Ali Beach, Dubai Marina Beach, Jumeirah Public Beach, Umm Suqeim Beach, Mercato Beach and Dubai Islands Beach.

Bagherian believes that, in addition to fighting climate change and boosting the local economy through ecotourism, the project will improve the quality of life of the local population.

“At a social level, it improves urban liveability by providing recreational spaces to residents and visitors, improving air quality and contributing to the mental and physical well-being of the community,” he says.