Dubai Municipality has announced the completion of a project to revive the traditional markets of Deira and preserve its distinctive architecture.
The project was undertaken following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said a Wam news agency report.
Stemming from the keenness to preserve the nation’s heritage and cultural identity, the project aimed at revitalising the area’s traditional markets and reinforcing its role as a major cultural and tourism attraction in the emirate.
While preserving the unique character and historical importance of Dubai’s traditional markets, the project also adds several creative touches to the surrounding modern buildings to enhance the area’s historical ambience and ensure overall design integration with the traditional architecture of the markets.
This initiative is part of the development projects approved by Sheikh Mohammed last January during his visit to the Dubai Municipality headquarters.
Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai has witnessed significant leaps in its development over the past few decades and has become a global trading and business hub in a short period of time. The retail sector in the region is supported by a range of modern markets that are among the most prominent in the world and attract some of the world’s prestigious international brands. However, this drive for modernity has not diminished the importance of traditional markets, which have been at the heart of the city’s commercial and economic life.
“We received clear directives from Sheikh Mohammed to give special attention to these traditional markets and restore the prestige they enjoyed over the decades, which gave them an important place in the emirate’s history,” Al Hajri added.
Apart from revitalising and reorganising the markets, the project sought to restore their role as a commercial centre serving the residents of the UAE as well as a focal point for visitors from around the world. The retail neighbourhood offers a variety of products with competitive prices that attract a large number of visitors, especially tourists looking for traditional merchandise.
The Dubai Municipality project aimed to preserve more than 220 historical buildings by renovating their facades and restoring their historical and architectural uniqueness. The project also sought to enhance the urban spaces surrounding these buildings by modifying traffic routes to highlight the distinct character of the historic area. It also aimed to enhance the area’s visual charm by creatively modifying the facades of the surrounding modern buildings to harmonise with the traditional character of the area.