Dubai Walk Phase I in Al Ras Could Lift Footfall in Old Dubai

Dubai has awarded the Phase I contract for the Dubai Walk Master Plan in Al Ras. The first package includes 12 km of walkways, 5 km of cycling tracks, and 10 artistic spaces designed to improve pedestrian movement in one of the city’s oldest districts.

This is more than a transport update. For SMEs, cafés, retailers, tour operators, and service firms in Deira, Bur Dubai, and nearby areas, better links between heritage sites and 11 public transport stations could make access easier and street-level visibility stronger. In plain terms, when moving around gets simpler, local trade often gets a lift too.

Key takeaways

• Phase I in Al Ras will add 12 km of walkways and 5 km of cycling tracks.
• The route will connect heritage sites with 11 metro, bus, and marine stations.
• Official summaries also mention shade, seating, greenery, signs, and 10 artistic spaces.
• For local businesses, improved walkability can support longer visits and better discoverability.

What Dubai has approved in Al Ras, and how the first phase fits the wider master plan

The confirmed news is straightforward. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has awarded the first contract for the Al Ras phase of Dubai Walk. This part focuses on a heritage-rich area by Dubai Creek, where narrow streets, souqs, museums, and transport links already pull in residents and visitors.

Official context matters here. The broader Dubai Walk Master Plan announcement described a long-term citywide push to make Dubai more walkable, safer, and better connected. That wider plan also ties into quality-of-life goals and the idea that many daily needs should sit within a short trip.

The confirmed Phase I details readers need to know

What’s confirmed for Al Ras is practical, not abstract. The project includes wider pedestrian routes, dedicated cycling tracks, shaded areas, seating, green touches, and wayfinding signs. It also includes the rehabilitation of 10 artistic spaces in coordination with cultural bodies and local artists.

The heritage-sensitive approach is important. Al Ras is not a blank site. It sits close to landmarks such as Al Fahidi Fort, Al Shindagha Historic District, and Al Ahmadiya School. So the design has to improve mobility without stripping away the area’s identity.

Official summaries say the new network will link these places to 11 public transport stations. That matters for first-mile and last-mile travel. Yet there are still gaps in public detail. So far, official reporting does not clearly name a contractor or a project budget, so there’s no reason to guess.

How this connects to Dubai’s 2040 walkability target

Al Ras is only the opening chapter. The wider master plan has been described as a citywide network of roughly 6,000 to 6,500 km of walkways by 2040, spread across about 160 areas. Some official summaries round the totals slightly, so it’s best to treat them as broad planning figures.

The bigger goal is simple. Dubai wants more trips to happen on foot and by soft mobility, with the share rising to about 25% by 2040. Bridges and underpasses also form part of the long-term plan, because safer crossings often decide whether people actually walk.

Better walkability is not just about comfort, it changes how people move, linger, and spend.

Why better walking routes in Al Ras could help shops, tourism and local services

For business owners, this story becomes real at street level. A shaded route with clear signs and places to sit can keep people in an area longer. Longer stays often lead to extra purchases, unplanned stops, and more repeat visits.

More footfall can mean more chances to be discovered

That matters in Al Ras because it already has mixed use built in. People move between the souqs, waterfront areas, museums, hotels, cafés, and transport nodes. If those movements become easier, street-facing businesses may benefit first.

Think about who gains from casual discovery. Cafés, small retailers, pharmacies, salons, convenience shops, museums, boat-tour operators, and gift stores all rely on being seen at the right moment. A walkable district works a bit like a better shop window for the whole neighbourhood.

Still, visibility now starts online as well as on the pavement. Businesses that want to catch nearby searches can use a free listing submission to improve how they appear when people look for services around Deira, Al Ras, and old Dubai.

What business owners can do now to prepare before the area changes

The smartest move is to get ready before foot traffic grows. First, check your map pin, opening hours, phone number, and WhatsApp details. Next, make your shopfront easy to read from a distance. In some cases, bilingual signage also helps, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

Then look at local search. If someone searches for a tailor in Al Ras or a café near Dubai Creek, your business should be easy to find. A clear profile, strong category choice, updated photos, and consistent contact details all help. If you need a starting point, this free UAE listing guide walks through the basics in plain language.

UAEThrive’s view, this is a mobility project today, but it could become a local growth story by 2040

From UAEThrive’s perspective, this is not only about paving paths. It’s about making a historic district easier to enjoy, easier to move through, and more connected to public transport. That shift can improve the visitor experience and support local trade at the same time.

There may be short-term disruption while works move ahead. Access changes, construction activity, and route diversions can affect daily routines. Even so, the long-term direction looks positive for businesses that depend on passing trade and nearby search demand.

The firms most likely to benefit are the ones that prepare early. When walkability improves and discoverability improves with it, the whole area becomes easier to use.

In short, the Al Ras contract is an early but meaningful sign of how Dubai wants to shape movement, heritage districts, and local commerce before 2040. Keep an eye on official RTA and Dubai Media Office updates for timing and delivery details. If your business serves customers in old Dubai, Deira, Bur Dubai, or beyond, now is a good time to get your UAE business discovered for free.