Melbourne architect shortlisted in Dubai urban design competition

Accommodation Abudhabi introduces

A Melbourne-based architect has been shortlisted within the top 100 entries in a global design competition to reimagine Dubai's public spaces.

Organised by RTA and Buildner, the Dubai Urban Elements competition brief tasked entrants with developing unique designs for small-scale urban infrastructure, such as pedestrian and cycle bridges, street furniture, shading structures, wayfinding systems, lighting and other amenity elements, across the city's seven zones.

A registered architect practising at Cox Architecture, Hamza Khan's proposal aligns itself with the city's 2040 vision, which prioritises liveability, wellbeing and reduced car dependency. His scheme is centred upon the transformation of the Dubai's 14-lane highway, the Sheikh Zayed Road, into a "green artery lined with palm trees, flowing water and thriving public spaces."

With the highway repositioned underground, the proposal reimagines the city "as a dynamic urban tapestry," with a central canal providing a new public transport corridor. Alongside the canal, water-fed shading structures are designed to turn canal water into cooling mist for pedestrian walkways, while enclosed expressways elevated above the ground provide passage for electric bikes and scooters. A series of new plazas along the canal corridor are intended to act as social and cultural hubs.

According to Khan, the "vision [is] rooted in small-scale tactical urbanism - cities that are not just seen, but felt."

The final results of the competition are due to be announced on 4 November, with the winner awarded €250,000.