As Dubai prepares to officially build the world’s largest artificial reef, due for completion by 2028, new opportunities are emerging for blue urbanism to mitigate climate change.
Whilst the planning of most coastal cities stops at the water’s edge, Dubai is creating a paradigm shift in urban planning through a new era of blue urbanism.
“This will remove the boundaries between sea and land” explains Baharash Bagherian CEO of URB, which is empowering blue urbanism to create a deeper connection between our cities and our ocean.
Dubai Reefs is an example of such blue urbanism initiatives, first unveiled by URB in May 2023. Humans have a natural attraction to the sea. It makes us live in harmony and provides the same therapeutic benefits as green spaces.
Yet people are less aware of its health problems. The decline of our marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, is a prime example of this. Over the last 30 years we have lost 50% of the world’s corals due to climate change.
Blue urbanism is a great solution to creating healthy water systems where the ocean and urban dwellers can thrive in balance. Yet, successful blue urbanism requires public education on protecting and regenerating our oceans.
This holistic approach will also help to promote ecotourism and create new types of green jobs, whilst creating a deeper connection between urban dwellers and ocean conservation.
Baharash Bagherian explains how the health of our oceans is directly linked to the health of our cities, and why they need to be in balance.
“Our cities should be in a symbiotic relationship with our oceans; adapting to each other, benefiting each other & working together.
The ocean is the planet’s life support system. 71% of the earth is covered by water, most of which are oceans.
Given that our entire eco systems are connected to the ocean, its health is vital if we are to mitigate the impacts of climate change.” A healthy ocean provides many economic, environmental and health benefits.
As such, blue urbanism could be the shift that we so desperately need to shape better cities, and to create a better relationship with one of the most fragile ecosystems on earth, the ocean. Source and images Courtesy of URB.