Palm Jebel Ali (نخلة جبل علي) is an artificialarchipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which began construction in October 2002, was originally planned to be completed by mid-2008 and has been on hold since.[1] Creative Kingdom provided master planning services for the island and Leisure Quest International (USA) developed entertainment and attraction concepts. The project, which is 50 percent larger than Palm Jumeirah, is proposed to include six marinas, a water theme park, 'Sea Village', homes built on stilts above the water, and boardwalks that circle the 'fronds' of the 'palm' and spell out an Arabic poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[1]
The Track at Jebel Ali Racecourse Right handed horseshoe shaped track of 2200 metres (racing distance) with a 900 metre run into the finish. It has a 1400 metre straight course.
The breakwater was completed in December 2006, and infrastructure work began in April 2007.[2] Major construction will not begin until most of the infrastructure work is complete.[2] Following the financial crisis of 2008 work has been suspended and the developers, Nakheel, have confirmed no work would take place on the development in the near future.
Nakheel invited several architects to design one of the buildings for the Palm on a 300,000 m2 area. The winning design was a building by Royal Haskoning, who also worked on several other projects in Dubai.[3] The residential villas to be built and sold by the developer were designed by Serendipity By Design LLC,[4] a firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The villa types were to be categorised by size and style; 40 series[5] (the largest), garden villas[6] and signature villas.[7]
In the first signs of a slowing Dubai property market, the prices of properties being sold on Palm Jebel Ali were reported to have fallen by 40% in the two months to November 2008, with the fall being attributed to the Financial crisis of 2007–2010.[8] In March 2011 Nakheel offered refunds to property investors.
Palm Jebel Ali's developer planned to house more than 250,000 people on it.[9]
In the original schedule, by 2021, the first phase of four theme parks would have opened on the Crescent. These planned parks, which together will be called 'World of Discovery,' will be developed and operated by the Busch Entertainment Corporation. The parks include SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. The World of Discovery will be located at the top of the Crescent, which will form into the shape of an orca (reminiscent of Shamu).[10][11]
In November 2014, 74 owners on Palm Jebel Ali wrote to the Ruler of Dubai via the Ruler's Court regarding the stalled PJA project.[12]
On 16 March 2015, Nakheel Chairman Mr Ali Lootah confirmed that Nakheel remains committed to the project long term but asked 'what can I do' for original investors.[13]
In October 2018, Sanjay Manchanda, CEO of Nakheel, confirmed that there are no immediate plans to restart development of the project.[14]
Palm Jebel Ali on 18 October 2007
Palm Jebel Ali on 18 October 2007
Palm Jebel Ali on 18 October 2007
Palm Jebel Ali on 8 May 2008
Palm Jebel Ali on 8 May 2008
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Palm Islands. |
جبل علي | |
---|---|
Port Jebel Ali on 1 May 2007 | |
Coordinates: 25°00′41″N55°03′40″E / 25.01126°N 55.06116°ECoordinates: 25°00′41″N55°03′40″E / 25.01126°N 55.06116°E | |
Country | United Arab Emirates |
Emirate | Dubai |
City | Dubai |
Established | 1977 |
Area | |
• Total | 47.1 km2 (18.2 sq mi) |
Population 2000 | |
• Total | 31,634 |
• Density | 670/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
Community number | 383-394 (Jebel Ali) 500 (Jebel Ali Village) 511-52 (Jebel Ali Free Zone) 599 (Jebel Ali Industrial) |
Jebel Ali (Arabic: جبل علي) is a port town 35 kilometers (22 mi) south-west of Dubai. The Jebel Ali Port is located there. Al Maktoum International Airport has been constructed just outside the port area. Jebel Ali is connected to Dubai via the UAE Exchange (formerly Jebel Ali), Danube (formerly Jebel Ali Industrial) and Energy stations on the Dubai Metro.[citation needed] Among the infrastructure projects built to support the port and town is the world's largest desalination plant, the Jebel Ali Desalination Plant (Phase 2), providing an ample supply of fresh water.[citation needed]
Many Arab historians argue that it was named after Ali ibn Abi Talib who was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad while expanding the Islamic Caliphate had stood on one hill and looked towards the sea and perhaps supplicated as well although no such recorded proof has been found. 'Jebel' means Mountain in Arabic.[citation needed]
On 23 September 1983, Gulf Air Flight 771 crashed in Jebel Ali killing all 112 people on board. The cause of the crash was a terrorist bomb that had been planted on board the aircraft by the Abu Nidal Organization.[1]
Jebel Ali has become the port most frequently visited by ships of the United States Navy outside the United States. Due to the depth of the harbour and size of the port facilities, a Nimitz-classaircraft carrier and several ships of the accompanying battle group can be accommodated pierside. Due to the frequency of these port visits, semi-permanent shore-leave facilities (referred to by US Navy service personnel as 'The Sandbox') have been erected adjacent to the carrier berth.[citation needed]
In 1985, the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) was created: an industrial area surrounding the port. International companies that relocate there enjoy the special privileges of the free zone. These include exemption from corporate tax for 50 years, no personal income tax, no import or re-export duties, no restriction on currency, and easy labour recruitment.[2][3][4][5]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jebel Ali. |
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dubai/Jebel Ali. |