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Dubai's coastline changing: Study

Dubai - MBRSC looks at human, natural changes to know length of shore

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the results of an analytical study to monitor changes in Dubai's coastline between 2009 and 2015.

The study covered natural, geographical and human changes to the Dubai coastline between Al Mamzar Beach Park and the Dubai Waterfront Project and Arabian Canal. The study classified the land attached to the coast and identified the expansion and partial and total erosion ratios, with the aim of calculating the length of Dubai's coastline in 2015 and provide a glimpse into its future.

The study divided the Dubai coastline into eight zones (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H) and showed a partial expansion of approximately six per cent, because of a number of vital projects such as the completion of Al Mamzar Corniche Beach, the 1,000 metre-long Jumeirah Bay Island project, the 1,380 metre Jumeirah One Beach renovation project, Pearl Jumeirah, as well as the Umm Suqeim 1 and 2 Beach upgrade project, Bluewaters Island and the Dubai Water Canal project. The study showed the construction of a number of breakwaters in order to protect the coast from medium-high waves, in addition to the construction of sand barriers in order to stop coastal erosion and sediment transport and to preserve the coast.

The study used images captured by DubaiSat-1 in 2009, as well as aerial image captured by Dubai Municipality in 2011 and DubaiSat-2 images from 2015. To conduct the study, the resolution degree of the used images was unified, so that all the images had a resolution of 2.5 metres to maintain the same scale ratio, which is one of the most important success factors of the study that is based on comparison and analysis.

"The Dubai coastline changes monitoring study serves as a testament and a good example of the important aspects and uses of space images and applications," said Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director-general, MBRSC. "The results of the study shows the vital growth Dubai is witnessing, as land expansion is the result of man-made projects, many of which are developmental and touristic."

"This reflects the emirate's long-term plans for tourism, commercial sectors and infrastructure, in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai," Al Shaibani added.

Zone A witnessed a slight fall back in the land, estimated at .13 per cent as a result of the partial changes Deira Island coastline underwent, in addition to the removal of the sandy areas in the coasts overlooking Dubai Creek and Dubai Maritime City Authority.

Study zones B and C witnessed significant urban development, with a 2.22 per cent expansion of the coast because of the developing Pearl Jumeirah, completing the construction works of Jumeirah Bay Island and establishing Dubai Water Canal.

Zone D witnessed a slight expansion of land in ??Al Sufouh 1 and 2, estimated at 0.13 per cent, while zones E, F and G witnessed a significant increase in land proportion of the coast estimated at 1.65 per cent; this is represented in a coastal expansion at different places including Palm Islands and Skydive Dubai located opposite Dubai Marina, as well as the expansion of land in the man-made island that was created to serve as a new containers station for Jebel Ali Port. Zone H (representing Dubai Waterfront and the Arabian Canal) had no significant changes.

Engineer Saeed Al Mansoori, Head of the Applications Development and Analysis Centre at MBRSC said: "This study is the first of its kind in monitoring the changes Dubai coastline has undergone. It took us three months (from January until March) to conduct the study, during which we relied on the near infrared in DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2 images to distinguish between land and water. We also applied geometric theories and laws to identify the coastline. The images used in the study were captured during the summer when there are no clouds, in order to get detailed and accurate results and analytical readings."

"The study is one of a number of analytical studies that we prepare periodically at MBRSC in order to provide analytical information for a large sector of government and educational institutions in the country," Al Mansoori added.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com