Introduction to the Dubai Marina

It is, according to its developer Emaar, a "master-planned waterfront community." In reality, it is characterized as much by its water element as by its collection of high-rise towers. Certainly this was part of Emaar's original intent as could be seen in early concept drawings and models. To facilitate this no limits were placed on building heights. What has emerged, however, is probably even beyond what Emaar had envisioned, with several towers expected to soar 80, 90 and 100+ floors.

Due to this it is easy to view the Marina in terms of its tower developments. Though a marina, it's quite unlikely that many residents will be sea-faring. The community can not afford to be that exclusive, needing to attract one- to two-hundred thousand residents to fill its many towers.

Geographically, the heart of the community is its man-made marina--about 3 1/5 kilometers long, with a meandering shoreline and a wide promenade along its border. Beyond the promenade are the residential towers, some hotels and villas, shopping centers and restaurants. At present much of it is under construction, while equally large spaces remain as yet untouched. Barring any unforeseen economic calamities, the Marina will in due course be fully built up.

Despite the concentration of towers, at ground level the Marina appears wide and open (see A Walk in the Marina). It promises to offer pleasant views and pleasant sea-breezes during cooler months, all within a safe, affluent urban environment.

Urban Development

Like much of Dubai, however, the Marina is a work in progress. At present there are far too many cranes, sandpits and concrete lorries to give one the pleasant style of life it promises. Current residents and those waiting in the wings will need to be patient. Probably not until 2007 or 2008 will the full essence of life in the Marina become apparent.


Considered in the context of the rest of Dubai, the Marina is but one part of a massive urban development scheme. The Jumeirah Beach Residences (a dense complex of 40 high-rise towers) separates part of the Marina from the sea, and in close proximity are the Jumeirah Lake Towers development and the offshore Palm, Jebel Ali and World islands. The Marina will be linked to the rest of the city by metro line, tram, new highways and bus services (see Transportation Improvements for Dubai Marina). It will in short be a very thriving community within a much larger city of unprecedented modernity.

Go to Dubai Marina Communities' most recent posts, or view the complete listing (by title) of all MAG 218 and Dubai Marina Communities' posts.