(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) In a world where possessions have become secondary to experiences, the concept of place is in the ascendancy. But, the idea that urban planning has changed as a result, is not necessarily an accurate one. It has always been about places that people can go when they need inspiration; to interact socially or passively.
The need for creative spaces is particularly pronounced in cities, where busy urban environments are often associated with things like stress, exhaustion and burnout. A progressively mobile global population has also ensured cities must invent and reinvent themselves, if they are to attract and retain the best talent.
As we strive towards the ambitious vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our transition to a globally competitive knowledge economy must continue to be informed by an emphasis on places that encourage personal fulfilment - things that motivate an individual or a family to come to a city and remain there. After all, it is people that make a place, as organisational psychologist Benjamin Schneider famously said three decades ago.
In a presidential address to the American Psychological Association in 1985, Schneider discussed three basic principles. That people gravitate towards organisations whose members have similar personalities and values, that organisations tend to seek people with similar skills, and that those who don't fit in will eventually leave.
By observing urban architecture and built environments through the lens of this social and cultural refinement process, it's clear that Dubai has already begun stimulating open, diverse and creative communities. And, that these communities are contributing to its status as one of the world's most improved cities in terms of liveability. Only one other city has done more to improve the quality of life for its residents in recent years, according to the 2017 Mercer Quality of Living Survey.
A big part of Dubai's success lies in the way architecture has become increasingly open, diverse and aesthetically creative throughout the city. This allows people to connect (or disconnect); while also exploring and sharing their experience. Another factor, is integration. Driven by the pace of life, urban planners are more than ever having to think carefully about how to combine a broader range of functions to deliver a better city experience.
This is something I witnessed while working on a regeneration project in parts of East London as part of the city's preparations for the 2012 Olympics Games. We were creating a brand-new place that included jobs, homes, and facilities for people to share and enjoy. Some were sports related, while others were part of a legacy project that helped win the bid to host the Olympic Games.
Several years on, and we have witnessed how these developments made integrated interventions in the city, and that the potential to impact life in a positive way is enormous. In hindsight, we are able to look back and see that we weren't just making decisions that would change infrastructure and roads, but lives and livelihoods; which will have an impact for generations. I've seen this same transformation in cities across Europe, and more recently in Dubai.
One of the most impressive examples of integration that I've seen in the past few years, is visible at City Walk. Designed to evolve as a city within a city, this elegant neighbourhood has turned a part of the Al Safa area into a popular place to live, and a destination for families. Its sophisticated avenues have attracted thousands of residents, an impressive list of 300 retail, food and beverage and entertainment businesses - not to mention countless international celebrities.
Another integrated project with huge potential that is emerging on the horizon, is Dubai Harbour, an iconic waterfront stretching out over 20 million square feet. Dubai Harbour will be home to the largest marina in the Middle East and North Africa - a 1,100-berth wharf, as well as a cruise ship terminal with capacity to welcome thousands of passengers. There will also be a shopping mall, restaurants, cafes, residences, hotels, offices and yacht club.
With the 135-metre-tall Dubai Lighthouse at its centre, the harbour will benefit from a multi-modal transport network, monorail system and water stations. Jogging and cycling tracks are also among some of the other features being incorporated within Dubai Harbour. Such complexity can have a huge social and economic impact, but it also brings with it a new kind of pressure.
To harness the full benefits of integration, those charged with bringing a place to life must step beyond traditional remits and make decisions about new digital technologies, financial structures, investors and societies that may not even exist yet. Adding to the complexity of modern placemaking, is the need to future proof projects at a time when perceptions about what constitutes real estate are converging.
Large-scale infrastructure projects, once the gamut of public sector budgets, are becoming increasingly attractive to private real estate investors globally. Closer to home, the healthcare and hospitality sectors have also been singled out as high potential, while a wave of optimism has also gripped traditional real estate markets after a 16 percent rise in transactions handled by the Dubai Land Department this year.
As we move forward together, our mandate will be to remain flexible as we support the transformation of financial capital into tangible places that embrace people's yearning for permanence and belonging.
The writer is chief design management officer at Meraas. Views expressed are her own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.
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