How Dubai streets got their new names
04:03AM Sun 28 Sep, 2014
Dubai: Imagine that you have been tasked with coming up with names for more than 22,000 streets in Dubai. Yes, that’s a big number and it includes highways, internal roads, side roads, flyovers and intersections. All of these, every one of them, has to be renamed. A gargantuan task to say the least. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality, in a joint project, are on to the task that will soon provide every corner of Dubai with a new name.
According to the project description shared with Gulf News by the authorities, each name has to be unique, reflecting the local heritage and culture as well as the environment surrounding the street.
Broadly, there are four categories in the naming convention, and each has a strategy. They are:
Follow a theme
“Names [of streets and roads] are selected based on their location and topography, which forms the theme,” said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency. For example, streets fronting coastal areas and close to the Gulf are given names of fish, marine features, boats, etc, whereas streets that criss-cross the desert landscape are given names of trees, local plants, etc. Streets within the business districts are being given names associated with heritage, culture and history,” she added.
The idea behind this strategy is to make the association of name and place easier by reducing the complexity of the naming convention. “It was decided that these streets — which previously used to be referred by numbers — will now have names based on a theme.”
It is easy to understand the simplicity of this approach. Take the Jumeirah District, for example, Streets here will have names of marine characteristics like boats, fish, marine life, etc, since Jumeirah is all about the beach and sea. This analogous approach aids in name recall.
Similarly, streets in traditional business districts of Bur Dubai and Deira, keeping their surroundings in mind, will have names with historical and heritage recall, whereas inland areas of Mushrif and Al Aweer districts will bear names of local trees, famous Arab personalities and poets. Streets and roads in financial districts will have names of ancient Arab currencies and coins, explained Maitha. Also, the new address system will have internal streets named in a systematic manner.
All names are decided by a special committee of experts and academics. If you have a suggestion for any particular street or road, you can forward them to Dubai Municipality’s Planning Department.
Gulf News
Photos
