JustFollowing the unprecedented storm that flooded Dubai in April, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved a massive AED30 billion ($8 billion) project to upgrade the emirate’s stormwater management system.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the ambitious plan, named Tasreef, aims to increase the system’s capacity to handle rainwater by seven times, equivalent to emptying “5.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute”.
Close Alternatives to Consider
While industry experts welcome the move, they suggest that smaller, cost-effective solutions should not be overlooked.
“There are solutions that are not costly and might not solve the problem completely, but they can at least help,” said Peiman Kianmehr, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering at the American University in Dubai.
The nine-year project will involve traditional infrastructure upgrades, including pipes, tunnels, and pump stations, as well as green infrastructure like channels and ponds.
“We can expect a mix of traditional below-ground infrastructure… as well as surface infrastructure such as channels, culverts, ponds, and other green infrastructure,” said Nariba Gittens, associate director, water, for the Middle East at WSP, a Canadian consultancy.
Experts recommend incorporating permeable surfaces, temporary flood zones, and smart AI-based systems to enhance the city’s water management.
“There could be potential to change the building codes to use building roofs as a rainwater storage during rainfall events,” said Hazem Gouda, an associate engineering professor at the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
They also suggest looking to international examples like Singapore and New York for inspiration. “Dubai could look to Singapore’s revamp of its stormwater management infrastructure… and New York’s work on flood resilience after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 as examples of the way forward,” said sources.
While the project’s scale and budget are impressive, experts urge creativity and a holistic approach to address Dubai’s flood management challenges.
“It’s crucial to integrate the city’s masterplan, considering the use of roundabouts and tunnels during extreme events, recharging groundwater aquifers, and exploring the potential of coastal reservoirs for future needs,” said Gouda.