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Will Culture Village be 100 per cent culture-centric? What are the Village's real objectives? Though some cynics reckon it could be more about property and less about culture, Marwan Bin Beyat, the centre's director of business development, clarifies the who, what and why of a project he so passionately espouses.
How much of Culture Village will be dedicated to commercial activities, and how much of it to artistic endeavours?
Culture Village has been designed to maximise the waterfront potential of the Creek while preserving Dubai's maritime roots. The city will feature a unique mix of places to live, to work, to relax and to study, as well as places of cultural interest. It will offer a mix of old-life recreation with the sophistication of a modern lifestyle.
The master plan of Culture Village has been divided into residential, commercial, retail, hospital and entertainment zones. It will have several museums, exhibition halls, theatres and open-air amphitheatres.
The residential will feature traditional, low to medium-rise buildings offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments with contemporary interiors.
The commercial district will house cultural offices, schools, academies for art, music, dance, pottery and other crafts. The retail district will feature luxury hotels, designer boutique-style restaurants and coffee shops and art and craft galleries.
There will also be shops housing rare books. A rustic traditional souk, offering Arabian crafts, antiques, and spices and herbs, will be the focal point of the retail district. So there will be an equal mix of residential, commercial and artistic venues for everyone.
Is there a certain profile of people that Culture Village is looking to attract? If yes, then what is this profile?
Culture Village will be a melting pot of diverse cultures representing the 150 nationalities who call Dubai their home. In terms of investors, we have partnered with developers from around the world including large scale developers from the GCC and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Some of the big names investing in the Culture Village include Sungwon from Korea and Emirates Sunland Group, which is developing the Palazzo Versace Resort.
In terms of artists, Abdul Qader Al Rais, one of the most important artists in the region, will open his first gallery at Culture Village. We are not limiting ourselves to a certain profile of people, as our intention is, for Culture Village to be a place for those who love culture and the arts.
Why are there plans to concentrate cultural activities in one area of the city? Wouldn't it be better to have cultural activities and events across the city?
Dubai is one of the fastest emerging cities in the world, not only in terms of business and trade, but also, in terms of offering a unique lifestyle to residents and tourists.
As a result, we have witnessed a growing number of cultural activities including exhibitions, festivals and theatrical performances in Dubai.
Culture Village will contribute to this experience by providing dedicated venues and state-of-the-art facilities that will cater to the needs of local, regional and international artists. It is our vision that Culture Village will add to the overall experience of Dubai for residents and visitors.
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