Dubai Unveils ‘Green Spine’ With Solar-Powered Trams & 1 Million Trees
Spanning 64 kilometers, this sustainable corridor is intended to transform how people live, work and travel in the city.
Dubai is no stranger to ambitious projects, but its latest undertaking, the Dubai Green Spine, seems already to be a game-changer. Spanning 64 kilometers, this sustainable corridor is intended to transform how people live, work and travel in the city. The project is spearheaded by urban planning firm URB and developed by EPIC Lab in alignment with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which projects a population boom to nearly eight million residents.The project reimagines the iconic Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) as a vibrant, sustainable space designed to enhance environmental and social well-being while accommodating the city’s growth, all powered by 300 megawatts of solar energy. The solar power system will also generate clean energy for an additional 130,000 homes in surrounding areas.The Green Spine will feature an extensive network of solar-powered trams, offering a clean and efficient way to traverse the corridor. Pedestrian and cycling paths will crisscross the area, encouraging residents to ditch their cars for healthier, more sustainable modes of transport.But low-carbon transportation constitutes only half of what the Green Spine ultimately plans to establish; the other half is the cultivation of a thriving urban ecosystem. The project plans to plant one million new trees, fostering biodiversity and creating lush green spaces. These areas will serve as natural locales amidst the urban landscape, offering residents a refreshing escape and providing habitats for local wildlife. The greenery will also play a crucial role in regulating temperatures and improving air quality.The Dubai Green Spine envisions mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. The integration fosters a sense of community, with everything residents need within walking or cycling distance.