News

Dubai Launches The World’s Largest Ocean Restoration Project

The Dubai Reefs program will serve as a blueprint for sustainable ocean living while helping to blunt the impact of climate change.

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2023

Nour Nasir

dubai launches the world's largest ocean restoration project

URB

Dubai has announced a bold new initiative known as “Dubai Reefs” that will help to tackle environmental degradation with the construction of a massive 200 square kilometers of artificial reefs.

The program will generate up to 30,000 new jobs during its development and will eventually become home to 1 billion corals and around 100 million mangrove trees.

The artificial reefs will also host a sustainable floating marine research unit. The institute will closely monitor Dubai’s marine and coastal ecosystems, boosting the country’s green credentials and helping to drive eco-tourism.

dubai reefs ocean front

Speaking of the tourist economy, once established, the artificial reefs will house floating eco-lodges, as well as residential, retail, and hospitality units running on solar and hydro (wave-powered) energy. Meanwhile, Regenerative Ocean Farming — an environmentally-friendly food production technique — will also form a cornerstone of the project.

dubai reefs floating eco-lodges

The CEO of the architectural studio URB, who is responsible for the design of the project, said, “The health of our cities is intrinsically tied to the health of our oceans [which will be] entirely different by the end of the century if we don’t take action today. […] As an innovative coastal city, Dubai is best positioned to lead such a transformation. Beyond creating a unique resilient destination for eco-tourism and marine research, Dubai Reefs aims to become a blueprint for ocean living while mitigating the impacts of climate change”.

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The ultimate goal of the Dubai Reefs project goes beyond transforming the city into an eco-destination. Urban planners need to explore the possibilities of a floating metropolis where the ocean and city thrive in balance, given that sea levels are predicted to rise dramatically over the next century.

News

1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration

Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Nour Nasir

Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.

cyberdrone ac milan dubai

“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.

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Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.

This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.