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Dubai: Underwater ‘forest bathing’ to be offered at this proposed floating community

Called Dubai Reefs – now in the research and development stage, according to the developer – this could be the world’s largest ocean restoration and ecotourism project

Published: Tue 9 May 2023, 2:49 PM

Updated: Tue 9 May 2023, 5:21 PM

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A floating community for marine research and ecotourism that includes an underwater ‘forest bathing’ is being proposed by a private developer of Net Zero Sustainable Cities to be built along the coastline of Dubai.

Called Dubai Reefs – which is now in the R&D (research and development) stage, according to developer URB – this could be the world’s largest ocean restoration and ecotourism project.

“It (Dubai Reefs) includes residential, hospitality, retail, educational and research facilities. The marine institute will be the heart of the project, working towards greater protection of the marine and coastal environment of Dubai. It aims to accelerate the marine science and conservation capacity of Dubai, whilst building the most diverse artificial reef, covering 200 square km. It also aims to create a home [for] more than 1 billion corals and 100 million mangrove trees,” URB said in a statement sent to Khaleej Times on Tuesday.

Trees of the seas

According to URB CEO Baharash Bagherian, "coral reef restoration trips will be a key offering of Dubai Reefs. There will be underwater ‘forest bathing’: a concept similar to the Japanese practice known as Shinrin Yoku, whereby one is calm and quiet amongst the trees. In this case, corals are the trees of the ocean; that will be offered for underwater forest bathing."

In the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, one can simply take a walk in any natural environment and connect with the surroundings. This is also known as an eco-therapy excursion, which will be taken underwater with the Dubai Reefs project.

Commune with marine ecosystem

URB said there will be other marine tourism experiences, including regenerative ocean farming trips, where travellers learn more about sustainable food systems in the ocean and experience the structures and the marine ecosystem around them.

Fishing, swimming, snorkelling, marine wildlife watching and marine-based sightseeing trips by surface boat will also be on offer.

Conceptual stage

Bagherian clarified the ambitious project, which would support the building of an artificial reef spanning around 200 square kilometres across the Dubai coastline, is still in the R&D and conceptual. stage,

“Commercial viability, however, is one of the key challenges of the project,” Bagherian told Khaleej Times, adding: “From a commercial point of view, we are looking to develop the best mix balance between built to lease assets and built to sell assets that are in line with the project mission. Any built-to-sell assets will provide the revenue for funding the additional phases of the project, thus not requiring any public funding.”

Green economy

Aside from the various leisure and edutainment experiences, building Dubai Reefs is also expected to generate more than 30,000 jobs in a green economy.

“It also aims to create a home to more than one billion corals and more than 100 million mangrove trees. The floating eco lodges will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, including solar and hydropower. There will be wave farms that will also produce additional clean energy for Dubai’s growing population,” the developer noted.

“The health of our cities is intrinsically tied to the health of our oceans… Beyond creating a unique resilient destination for ecotourism and marine research, Dubai Reefs aims to become a blueprint for ocean living, whilst mitigating the impacts of climate change,” Bagherian added.

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