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Dubai Investments Park: From an industrial zone to cosy community

DIP has become a self-contained, mixed-use, industrial, commercial and residential enclave.

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Many residents aspire to live and work in the same area ­­- at least within a two to four kilometre radius. This means less travel time; no traffic in the mornings and evenings; no need to get up at a ridiculous hour for work; less money spent on fuel; and so on. They simply get more time for themselves and their families.
This is what British expat John Cox has been enjoying for the past four years. He lives at Green Community West and works at a multinational logistics company at the Dubai Investments Park (DIP). His two kids are also not stressed out as they are both studying at a DIP community school.
"But DIP used to be an isolated place, and when my friends asked where I live, I would usually get a dazed question: 'Is DIP also a residential area?" Cox told Khaleej Times.
Today, DIP is a self-contained, mixed-use, industrial, commercial and residential enclave spread across an area of 2,300 hectares. It is a city within a city offering world-class infrastructure and outstanding facilities and services, according to its operator, the Dubai Investments Park Development Company.
Filipino expat Mhel Asistin, who has been employed by the same family as a domestic worker, can also recall how DIP has transformed from a dusty industrial zone to a "green and clean" community.
"What I love about living in DIP is that there is an open space for gardening. I have been planting and harvesting various vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, basil, and we have our own malunggay (Moringa) tree," said Asistin.
Public transportation has also improved around the area. "When I started working for a South African family back in 2009, there was only one bus route in and out of DIP - Route 92 from Dubai Lagoon to Ibn Battua Mall and back. Now, there are three more bus routes, F46, F47 and F48, within our area," she said.
Moreover, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently announced that nine air-conditioned bus shelters are under construction at DIP.
The shelters will be solar-powered. Each can accommodate up to 16 people, and they were also designed to cater to the needs of people of determination.
But what excites Asistin and other DIP residents is the completion of Route 2020.
When completed, the 15km route will link the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station on the Metro's Red Line to the Expo 2020 site, passing through DIP, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
It will not only facilitate transport to the Dubai Expo but will also serve around 270,000 residents living in those fast-growing communities.
Another DIP resident, Joan Cortes, said: "Before, getting groceries was a bit of a struggle as there were only two supermarkets back then - Choitrams and Spinneys. But now we have Carrefour, which has a food court on the upper floor; Ramla Malla and Hypermarket; Al Maya; and other supermarkets."
"DIP has quickly emerged as an ideal place for families to live because there are open spaces and parks. It is also cosy here as the zoning regulation at DIP is G+6 for the residential apartment buildings," she added.
Some investors are looking at DIP for rent-to-own deals. Tenants find their DIP places affordable, as the average cost is at Dh64 per square foot. They say that the value of their investment will definitely jump as Expo 2020 draws near.

Important information

1-Highly improved transport network
DIP can be easily accessed from both the Emirates Road and the Sheikh Zayed Road. The closest Metro station is Ibn Battuta and the area is well connected with buses and taxi pick-ups.
2-Good investment in time for Expo 2020
DIP investors are looking forward to the completion of Route 2020, which passes through their area and facilitates direct transport to the Expo site. They expect the value of their investment to jump as Expo 2020 draws near.
3-Perfect for families
It has emerged as an ideal place for families because of its parks where children can freely play and open spaces that are suitable for gardening. The number of supermarkets had also increased, much to its residents' convenience.
angel@khaleejtimes.com