Urban viaduct brought to Dubai a new form of space, the space located beneath the viaduct. These spaces are occupying a huge area of the urban public space in Dubai; however, they are unused.

 

There is a need for Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai to convert the neglected and unused spaces beneath the viaduct of Dubai Metro into useful spaces. Our architectural design solution aimed to maximize the use of wasted urban area and striking the balance between social needs and commercial imperatives within the space in order to create a new public promenade under elevated rail viaducts. The other objectives of our project are:

i) designing a proposal for a temporary modular structure which can be placed under the area of Dubai Metro viaduct

ii) proposing a prototype that facilitates easier and safe assembly on any are beneath the viaduct

iii) providing the users of Dubai metro daily needs with functions along the path

iv) developing a program based on a site selection and site analysis to fit varying purposes based on location

v) developing design guidelines based on economical, social, and urban studies

 

The project’s team covered a wide range of literature review and relevant case studies in Germany and Paris followed by a field visit in order to obtain the required documents of the viaduct of Dubai Metro and the selected site for the project. Architectural and structural systems alternatives were considered and evaluated carefully based on site needs. In order to ensure the appropriateness of the selected structural elements, structural simulation programs will be used.

 

Our architectural design solution will create a new public promenade under the elevated rail viaducts. Also, the project will provide the needed spaces under the viaduct for special needs in order to enhancing the provided services of Dubai Metro. That will increase accessibility and attractiveness of Dubai Metro.