The World JAN 11:
oinster
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about The World:
GENERAL
1. What is The World?
The World is arguably the most innovative and exciting real estate development on the planet. It consists of 300 man made islands, strategically placed to represent the world map, 4km off the coast of Dubai. The World represents 300 opportunities for developers to deliver 300 concepts and will be a one-of-a-kind master-planned island city hosting a community of homes, apartments, resorts, restaurants and retail in a marine wonderland of beaches, boating and leisure.
2. Who is developing The World?
Nakheel, the uniquely focused property development company behind a variety of new landmark developments in Dubai, including the iconic Palm development, is the brand name behind The World. By implementing truly groundbreaking property developments that will go down in history for their magnitude and grandeur, Nakheel is playing a large part in Dubai’s phenomenal growth as the tourism and commerce hub of the Middle East.
3. Whose vision was behind The World?
His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, has a long history of innovation, particularly in the burgeoning tourism industry. The World is an example of a successful strategy to encourage tourism in Dubai by utilising its key natural assets of beautiful sea and year-round sunshine. Nakheel is doing so by creating groundbreaking developments that push back boundaries of imagination, design and construction and place Dubai as a major global player and the business and commerce hub of the Middle East.
4. How long has the project been in planning?
The project was announced in September 2003, following two years of extensive planning, research development and design. Construction commenced shortly after.
5. For whom is The World intended?
The World is a leisure, residential and tourist development that has attracted local and international interest. Potential buyers include individuals looking to purchase islands for their private use as well as investors and leading international hotel groups. Only selected buyers who have met the necessary criteria as stipulated by Nakheel will have the chance to purchase their own island. They must possess the ability to purchase, develop and maintain an island, as these islands cannot be resold. The World represents a variety of commercial opportunities for developers.
6. What does the project mean to Dubai and to the UAE?
The World represents a unique concept of leisure, living and tourism - offering extraordinary experiences to residents and visitors alike. It is an expansion of Dubai’s drive to enhance its position both as a premier international tourist destination and as an ideal residential option. The World is an iconic development that has garnered massive brand value and goodwill due to its novelty. This ‘never before’ concept enforces Dubai’s position on the world map.
7. Where exactly will the world be located?
The World will be located four kilometres offshore from Dubai, at a halfway point between Burj Al Arab and Port Rashid. This is about 25 kms. from the centre of Dubai city and approximately 30 minutes by road from Dubai International Airport.
8. How is The World being funded?
The Government of Dubai and local and international banks are funding the project.
9. How much interest has The World generated locally and internationally?
Interest in The World has been very strong and has attracted the attention of numerous local and international investors. These include hoteliers and hotel chains, resort developers, celebrities, commercial and retail developers, and private investors.
10. Why is it considered one of the most unusual island/real estate projects to be ever undertaken?
The World is a singularly unique project in several ways. Upon completion, the project will have created the world’s largest cluster of man-made islands. The design and presentation of the islands is expected to be an overwhelming visual experience. Finally, the islands offer 300 opportunities for developers to create not only residences but also elite facilities including retail, entertainment, hotels, themed developments and marine sports clubs.
11. How will visitors reach The World?
The World can only be reached via boat or helicopter. There will be no land bridge between mainland Dubai and The World. Two mainland marinas will link to 4 hubs within The World that will in turn service the islands.
12. How far is The World away from The Palm?
The World is 21km to the East by Northeast of The Palm Jumeirah.
13. How will people be able to find their islands at night?
Individual islands will be easily found through advanced GPS technology and navigation channels will be clearly marked.
CONSTRUCTION
14. Why create islands?
Dubai has been formed as a linear, coastal city, with most of its development taking place by the sea. However, the Emirate has a limited amount of coastline, the vast majority of which is already developed. Thus, Sheikh Mohammed’s vision was to create islands offshore – using the natural resources of Dubai. By shaping these islands into beautiful, striking designs, the developments have captured the imagination of the world. An island destination within the close proximity of Dubai adds to the offering for the growing tourist population and real estate projects.
15. What are the stages of construction?
There are two main stages to the creation of The World. The first phase involves the reclamation of land, which is currently being conducted by Nakheel. The second phase involves the development of the reclaimed land, which will be undertaken by island owners who will be responsible for the construction on their private islands.
16. What is the current status of construction and how long will the reclamation take to complete?
Despite the challenging deadline that Nakheel has set for its completion, construction on the project is on schedule. As of the latest figures (April 2006) 90% of land reclamation is complete, with 270 islands visible above water. The reclamation stage is expected to be completed by 2008. Once reclamation is completed, the islands will be handed over to the owners.
17. What are the islands being built of?
Each island is built of sand reclaimed from the sea floor while the breakwater barriers are built from rock armour from local quarries. No artificial or chemical materials are used during the reclamation process.
18. Where are the sand and rocks from?
The rock that is being used to build the barriers is from quarries around the UAE. The sand that is being used as landfill is being dredged locally. It is the exact same process used to create The Palm, Jumeirah and is also being used to construct The Palm, Jebel Ali.
19. How much material will be used in constructing The World?
326 million cubic meters of sand will be used to form the islands, 32 million tons of rock will be used to construct the breakwater.
20. What is a breakwater?
Breakwaters are shelters around islands or harbors that act as a barrier against the water – they ‘break’ the water. They are designed to dissipate wave energy of small waves from the leeward exposure and allow improved and controlled waterflow.
DESIGN
21. What are the dimensions of The World?
The World will measure approximately 7 kms in length and 9 kms in width, and will cover an area of over 9,340,000 square metres, adding 232 kilometers of beachfront to Dubai’s shoreline.
22. What is the size of an island?
The islands will range from 150,000 square feet to 450,000 square feet in size, with the average island measuring approximately 300,000 square feet. The average distance between islands is 50-100 metres, with an average depth of water surrounding each island at 8-16 metres.
RESIDENTIAL
23. How much will an island cost?
Prices of islands on The World range between $10 million to $45 million approximately.
24. Who can own these islands or homes?
Ownership of the islands on The World is open to all individuals, groups and corporations of every nationality on a freehold basis (full ownership). However, there will be a private screening of investors to ensure that they meet the basic requirements of island ownership at The World.
25. Will expatriate owners be provided with residence visas?
Visas will be issued to expatriate owners, their dependants and their staff every three years for as long as they hold title to an island on The World.
26. What differentiates living on The World from any other options in Dubai?
Owners of islands on The World will have the benefits of sea views, private beaches, stunning scenery and privacy apart from the privilege of owning and living on their own private island while only minutes away from all the modern facilities in Dubai.
27. What will be the impact of The World on the real estate market in Dubai?
In Dubai’s diverse spectrum of real estate projects, The World is the most premium offering. This exclusive real estate development is expected to play a key role in raising awareness of Dubai on a global level as an ideal residential option, and to have an overall positive impact on the real estate industry in Dubai. The wide variety of residential and commercial opportunities on offer will only strengthen the city’s real estate offerings.
28. Will there be service islands?
A selection of strategically placed islands will remain the property of Nakheel. These islands will used be as staging points for the provision of a range of services such as utilities and transport marinas.
Lifestyle
29. Can the general public access any or all islands? Or is it meant only for owners?
With The World being a mixture of private and commercial developments, there will certainly be areas, which the general public will be able to visit. It is in anticipation of this that Nakheel is creating three new marinas on the Dubai coastline to ensure easy access to The World and Nakheel’s other water-based projects for visitors and residents.
30. Do you really see that the pace of development in Dubai will justify a project like this?
Dubai is continuing to grow very strongly and we see increasing numbers of tourists each year and growing demand for real estate investment. Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities at the moment and The World will be a must see destination within Dubai in the near future.
31. Can people keep their boats on The World?
Since The World is only accessible by sea or air, each owner is free to make provision for his preferred method of transportation on their own islands.