Jebel Ali

This article is about the municipality. For other uses, see Jebel Ali (disambiguation).

Jebel Ali (including Palm Jebel Ali)
جبل علي
Community
Port Jebel Ali on 1 May 2007
Port Jebel Ali on 1 May 2007
Map
Coordinates: 25°00′41″N 55°03′40″E / 25.01126°N 55.06116°E / 25.01126; 55.06116
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
EmirateDubai
CityDubai
Established1977
Area
 • Total47.1 km2 (18.2 sq mi)
Population
2000
 • Total31,634
 • Density670/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Community number383-394 (Jebel Ali)
500 (Jebel Ali Village)
511-52 (Jebel Ali Free Zone)
599 (Jebel Ali Industrial)

Jebel Ali (Arabic: جبل علي) is a port town 35 kilometers (22 mi) south-west of Dubai. The Jebel Ali Port is located there. Al Maktoum International Airport has been constructed just outside the port area. Jebel Ali is connected to Dubai via the UAE Exchange (formerly Jebel Ali), Danube (formerly Jebel Ali Industrial) and Energy stations on the Dubai Metro.[citation needed] Among the infrastructure projects built to support the port and town is the world's largest desalination plant, the Jebel Ali Desalination Plant (Phase 2), providing an ample supply of freshwater.[1]

History

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Many Arab historians argue that it was named after Ali, who was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad while expanding the Islamic Caliphate had stood on one hill and looked towards the sea and perhaps known as well although no such recorded proof has been found. "Jebel" means mountain or hill in Arabic.[2]

In 1968, Overseas AST started construction of Dubai's first Communications Station in the Jebal Ali area, because of the raised ground.[2] It was commissioned in 1970, giving for the first time telecommunication links with the rest of the world. In the 1970s, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum planned to develop Jebel Ali into an industrial area with its own airport, port, and township.[3]

On 23 September 1983, Gulf Air Flight 771 crashed in Jebel Ali killing all 112 people on board. The cause of the crash was a terrorist bomb that had been planted onboard the aircraft by the Abu Nidal Organization.[4]

Jebel Ali Free Zone

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Main article: Jebel Ali Free Zone

In 1985, the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) was created: an industrial area surrounding the port. International companies that relocate there enjoy the special privileges of the free zone. These include exemption from corporate tax for 50 years, no personal income tax, no import or re-export duties, no restriction on currency, and easy labor supply and recruitment from authorized companies.[5][6][7][8][9]

Jebel Ali Industrial Area

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Jebel Ali Industrial Area (aka Jebel Ali Industrial) is one of Dubai's oldest industrial districts.[10] It is located east of the Port of Jebel Ali, south of Jebel Ali Village, west of Dubai Investments Park, and north of the Jebel Ali Free Zone Extension.[11] There have been a number of industrial fires in the area.[12][13][14]

Port of Jebel Ali

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Main article: Port of Jebel Ali

Jebel Ali was opened in 1979 at the decree of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. The port is confirmed to be the most trusted destination for dockings of United States Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. Due to the depth of the harbour and size of the port facilities, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and several ships of the accompanying strike group can be accommodated pierside. Due to the frequency of these port visits, semi-permanent shore-leave facilities (referred to by US Navy service personnel as "The Sandbox") have been erected adjacent to the carrier berth.[citation needed]

Jebel Ali Village

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Main article: Jebel Ali Village

The original Jebel Ali Village (JAV) was constructed in 1977 to provide accommodation to construction contractors' staff involved with the development of Jebel Ali.[3] Jebel Ali Village was effectively a small British-style garden city.[15] It was a project of Sir William Halcrow and Partners and acted as a prototype for further semi-autonomous residential areas in Dubai such as Emirates Hills and The Gardens.[16] Construction for the redevelopment of Jebel Ali village began by 2008. More recently in 2021, it was announced that the previously isolated Jebel Ali Village was to be transformed to make way for luxury villas by Nakheel Properties.[17]

Churches Complex

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The Churches Complex in Jebel Ali Village, is an area for a number of churches and temples of different religious denominations, especially Christian denominations.[18]

Churches and temples in the complex include:[18]

Palm Jebel Ali

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Main article: Palm Jebel Ali

Palm Jebel Ali (نخلة جبل علي) is an artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which began construction in October 2002, was originally planned to be completed by mid-2008 and has been on hold since.[26] Creative Kingdom provided master planning services for the island and Leisure Quest International (USA) developed entertainment and attraction concepts. The project, which is 50 percent larger than Palm Jumeirah, is proposed to include six marinas, a water theme park, 'Sea Village', homes built on stilts above the water, and boardwalks that circle the "fronds" of the "palm" and spell out an Arabic poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[27]

The breakwater was completed in December 2006, and infrastructure work began in April 2007.[28] Major construction will not begin until most of the infrastructure work is complete.[29] Following the financial crisis of 2008 work was suspended and the developers, Nakheel, have confirmed no work would take place on the development in the near future.

Nakheel invited several architects to design one of the buildings for the Palm on a 300,000 m2 area. The winning design was a building by Royal Haskoning, who also worked on several other projects in Dubai.[30] The residential villas to be built and sold by the developer were designed by Serendipity By Design LLC,[31] a firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The villa types were to be categorised by size and style; 40 series[32] (the largest), garden villas[33] and signature villas.[34]

In the first signs of a slowing Dubai property market, the prices of properties being sold on Palm Jebel Ali were reported to have fallen by 40% in the two months to November 2008, with the fall being attributed to the Financial crisis of 2007–2010.[35] In 2009, the Dubai Land Department investigated complaints into Nakheel stalling the Palm Jebel Ali project.[36] Nakheel offered investors alternative homes in other projects but these were inferior properties. In March 2011 Nakheel offered refunds to property investors. Palm Jebel Ali's developer planned to house more than 250,000 people on it.[37]

In the original schedule, by 2021, the first phase of four theme parks would have opened on the Crescent. These planned parks, which together will be called "World of Discovery," will be developed and operated by the Busch Entertainment Corporation. The parks include SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. The World of Discovery will be located at the top of the Crescent, which will form into the shape of an orca (reminiscent of Shamu).[38][39] In 2013, State news agency WAM said a decree by ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum said a special legal committee would be established over the building bubble. This included using funds following liquidation of scores of cancelled building projects to repay investors who lost billions in the Emirates property market. It was suggested that this would settle disputes related to projects that had been officially cancelled by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).[40]

In November 2014, 74 owners on Palm Jebel Ali wrote to the Ruler of Dubai via the Ruler's Court regarding the stalled PJA project.[41] On 16 March 2015, Nakheel Chairman Mr. Ali Lootah confirmed that Nakheel remains committed to the project long term but asked "what can I do" for original investors.[42]

In October 2018, Sanjay Manchanda, CEO of Nakheel, confirmed that there are no immediate plans to restart development of the project. In July 2021, it was announced that Nakheel planned to restart the project by considering plans involving building villas on the island. In April 2022, reports began to circulate that Nakheel had petitioned the Dubai courts and secured a hearing in the absence of investors (as no notice given) to secure a judgement to formally cancel the Palm Jebel Ali project, which was apparently granted on 19 May 2022. Consequently 724 previous villa contracts were made null and void as per the judgement, with the aim to return only the original investment, without recognition of any secondary market transaction premium paid, or compensation as per the clause in the Nakheel property contract (Sales Purchase Agreement.[43] Furthermore, no consideration was given to opportunity cost, including potential return on investment, such as compound interest which could have generated substantial gains.

In September 2022, Nakheel announced a rebranding exercise.[44]]Soon after, it revealed its plans to relaunch Palm Jebel Ali.[45] It has been reported in the Wall Street Journal that high vaccination rates and zero taxes is making Dubai a pandemic boom town, with many wealthy Russians expected to move there, now access to Western property has become significantly more challenging with International bans and enhanced anti-money laundering laws.[46] Recently, it was revealed that Nakheel is nearing completion of $4.6 billion of debt restructuring to relaunch its landmark projects. “Nakheel is paying a lower spread and getting more money for new projects, including Palm Jebel Ali,” stated one banker on the deal.[47] Nakheel plans to build 1,700 villas and 6,000 apartments.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Desalination Plants: Ten of the World's Largest | Aquatech". www.aquatechtrade.com. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Jebel Ali Communication 1960s". Dubai as it used to be. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Jebel Ali Village 1978". Dubai as it used to be. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  4. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-2P6 A4O-BK Mino Jebel Ali". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Authorised Manpower Supply Companies". www.dubaitrade.ae. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  6. ^ "About Us". Jebel Ali Free Zone. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  7. ^ "JAFZA profit up to Dh1 billion". The National. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  8. ^ "JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) Business setup". Business Dubai. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Business Setup in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)". Baiju Masoodu. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  10. ^ "Jebel Ali Industrial". Meraas. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Jebel Ali Industrial Area". Google Maps. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Jebel Ali fire: Plastic factory blaze sends smoke billowing across Dubai". The National. UAE. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Dubai fire crews tackle blaze in industrial oil plant". The National. UAE. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Dubai fire crews tackle blaze in Jebel Ali industrial area". The National. UAE. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  15. ^ Ramos, Stephen J. (May 2008). "Sinews of Growth: Generative Infrastructural Urbanism in Dubai" (PDF). Policy Brief. No. 4. UAE: Dubai School of Government. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  16. ^ Ramos, Stephen J. (2016). Dubai Amplified: The Engineering of a Port Geography. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1317147619.
  17. ^ Debre, Isabel (9 November 2021). "In fast-changing Dubai, once-isolated Jebel Ali village to be razed to make way for luxury villas". The Economic Times. India.
  18. ^ a b Pittenger, Fernanda. "The 6 Best Churches & Cathedrals in Jebel Ali, Emirate of Dubai". thingstodopost.org. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  19. ^ "St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church: Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates". sfacja.org. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Christ Church Jebel Ali". christchurchjebelali.org. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  21. ^ "St Mina Copts Orthodox Church Jebel Ali Dubai". Facebook. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral". dubaichurch.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Archdiocese Of Roum Orthodox Church". Trip.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Gurunanak Darbar Dubai". gurudwaradubai.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Hindu Temple". 2gis.ae. 2GIS. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  26. ^ 1.    Sarah Blackman. "Palm Jebel Ali enabling works to be awarded soon". Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  27. ^ Jump up to:a b "The Palm Jebel Ali (Palm Islands, Dubai) - Property Development". The Emirates Network. 2007. Archived from the original on 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  28. ^ "Worlds Of Discovery Planned For Nakheel's The Palm Jebel Ali In Dubai". Anheuser-Busch. 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  29. ^ Jump up to:a b "Dubai's Palm and World Islands - progress update". AMEInfo. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  30. ^ "WAN:: Palm Jebel Ali by Royal Haskoning in Dubai, United Arab Emirates". Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  31. ^ "Architectural firm in Dubai Dublin Manila". serendipity.
  32. ^ "Palm Jebel Ali, 40 series villa's". serendipity.
  33. ^ "Palm Jebel Ali, Garden Villa's". serendipity.
  34. ^ "Palm Jebel Ali, Signature Villa's". serendipity.
  35. ^ "Property prices on Palm Jebel Ali fall by up to 40%". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 26 August 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  36. ^ "Palm Jebel Ali complaints investigated". 12 November 2009.
  37. ^ Sarah Blackman. "Palm Jebel Ali enabling works to be awarded soon". Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  38. ^ "Worlds Of Discovery Planned For Nakheel's The Palm Jebel Ali In Dubai". Anheuser-Busch. 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2008-03-01
  39. ^ "Nakheel to build four theme parks on Palm Jebel Ali". Gulf News. 2008-02-29. Archived from the original on 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  40. ^ 1.    "Dubai Plans to Repay Property Bubble Losers".
  41. ^ "74 Nakheel investors write to Dubai ruler over stalled Palm Jebel Ali". Arabian Business. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  42. ^ "Exclusive: Palm Jebel Ali Will Not Be Cancelled – Nakheel Chairman". Gulf Business. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  43. ^ 1.    "Dubai developer Nakheel nears $4.6bn debt restructuring to fund expansion". Financial Times. 27 September 2022.
  44. ^ https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/real-estate/nakheel-unveils-massive-rebranding-major-palm-jebal-ali-updates-expected[bare URL]
  45. ^ https://www.arabianbusiness.com/money/wealth/money-wealth-real-estate/nakheel-to-relaunch-and-rebrand-palm-jebel-ali[bare URL]
  46. ^ "Sky-High Vaccination Rates and Zero Taxes Make Dubai a Pandemic Boomtown". Wall Street Journal. 10 December 2021.
  47. ^ “Nakheel is paying a lower spread and getting more money for new projects, including Palm Jebel Ali,” stated one banker on the deal.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dubai/Jebel Ali.
  • Media related to Jebel Ali at Wikimedia Commons
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