Hyperloop will promote cross-city living in UAE
Bringing Abu Dhabi and Dubai closer together has many benefits for residents, both in terms of where they work and where they live
“The Saadiyat meeting finishes at five, so still on for dinner in Dubai at six.” No doubt, many of us will have experienced this naivety from a friend or colleague unfamiliar with the unique traffic experience that occurs on Thursday nights between the capital and its neighbour. You might have even resisted (or not) the temptation to laugh in their face.
The Abu Dhabi–Dubai, or Dubai-Abu Dhabi, commute is a daily reality for many residents and for others, it’s sort of like a weird family uncle who you try not to see, apart from on very special occasions. Whichever camp you fall into, everyone seems to have an opinion on it and certainly a horror story or two.
Unsurprisingly, however (this is the UAE, of course), there are several on-going strategies to ease this pain and bring the two cities closer together. One of the most innovative proposals will reduce the travel time to only 12 minutes, all courtesy the magnetic levitation of the Hyperloop.
What is a Hyperloop?
Essentially, it is the most advanced innovation in high-speed transportation for people and goods. It uses pressurised capsules that ride on air cushions in giant reduced pressure tubes to reach speeds of up to 1,200 km/h and, thereby, drastically reduce travel times between locations. According to Hyperloop One, who signed the historical deal with the Roads and Transport Authority, it is “on-demand, energy-efficient and safe; the broadband of transportation”.
This ambitious, multi-billion dollar project is projected to begin passenger operations by 2020. There is even talk of providing a door-to-door service with self-driving ‘pods’ that you can order via your smartphone.
What will that mean?
Bringing Abu Dhabi and Dubai closer together, as well as the wider GCC in phase three of the project, has many benefits for residents, both in terms of where they work and where they live. While both cities offer their own unique interpretations on the UAE way of life and a diverse range of residential options, they share a hunger for prosperous growth and a multitude of brands engaged in business development. Allowing that business to be conducted more easily, and at far less of a time cost to companies, is exactly the sort of sound strategic planning that people want from government. In addition, residents will have much greater flexibility in finding a home. So, in 2020, when you’re looking for a home on propertyfinder.ae, the idea of ‘commutable distance’ will have expanded.
The place to be?
While the Hyperloop is undeniably exciting, the route between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has already undergone quite a transformation recently and is now a destination in itself, rather than just a road from A to B. The building of Al Maktoum International Airport, which will be the home base of Emirates Airline by 2025, has been accompanied by major residential developments such as Dubai South, which is already proving to be a popular search on propertyfinder. Leisure attractions such as Legoland, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Blue Marlin and even the new food truck haven Last Exit have made cross-city living a popular choice and are one of the reasons why we at propertyfinder have seen a far greater demand for locations such as Al Ghadeer Village. In terms of the expected economic and visitor growth up to and beyond 2020, these new areas of development are rife for investment and offer a different style of living to those looking to be part of a less-crowded community.