Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in collaboration with the Global Growth Hub (GGH), have recently concluded MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator’s (MDXB) Demo Day at DSO, the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The winning team, Othalo from Oslo, was awarded at an event that celebrated the culmination of an intensive five-week curriculum followed by another month of design and business classes, undergone by the 12 innovative startups that made up the inaugural cohort of MDXB. These visionary teams, hailing from Oslo, London, Jerusalem, Boston, and Dubai, worked collaboratively to develop innovative technologies aimed at addressing the evolving global challenges in urban environments, such as water, climate, food security, and energy. The program showcased the power of international partnerships in fostering innovation, providing a platform for the participating teams to present their groundbreaking ideas to local investors, corporates, and government entities. Commenting on the success of the MDXB Demo Day, Juma al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai silicon Oasis, said: “The MDXB programme and the solutions that the startups conceptualised align with the announcement of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, that 2024 will be the continuation of the Year of Sustainability, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for all. The first cohort of startups in MDXB utilised advanced technology to present innovative solutions to a series of shared environmental and business problems. DSO is delighted to have accompanied these teams on their development journey, witness their growth, and see the final outcomes they presented.” For his part, Gilad Rosenzweig, Executive Director of DesignX at the MIT School of Architecture & Planning, said: “Dubai is an innovation hub, and the first cohort of MDXB has truly shown us their stunning capabilities in conceptualizing innovative solutions that captivate the world. I’m inspired by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking solutions. Together with DSO and Global Growth Hub, we’re fostering a dynamic ecosystem that drives transformative change and shapes the future.” For his part, Omar Hassan, Managing Director of Global Growth Hub, shared his excitement about the success of the first phase and looked forward to the next chapter. He said: “This only marks the first phase of the programme. We are thrilled to be kicking off phase two, which will focus on supporting entrepreneurs with their market growth and development in the UAE.” As part of their prize, the winning Othalo team was awarded an investment of US$200,000. Their groundbreaking technology, addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste, ingeniously repurposes it to construct homes for some of the world’s most deprived communities. Frank Catoo, Founder of Othalo, expressed his gratitude, saying: “The MDXB program has been pivotal for us. We always believed that the UAE could be a great enabler for our global growth, and we are excited to take our technology to the world from here.” The selected startups in MDXB’s inaugural cohort share a strong focus on sustainability and technology. Their business ideas include extracting water from air, innovative ideas for cooling data centres, recycling initiatives, and air pollution reduction. They are – ActDivate, Airvi, FUSE, Othalo, Project UltraCool, Reclusters, Regeny, Sustainability Kiosk, Suswater, Tile Green, and The Surpluss.

H.E. Al-Hajri:

• “Our goal is to improve the security and safety measures for maritime traffic and commercial activities within the Dubai Creek.”
• “The project aligns with the vision to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global tourism hub and boost its economic and commercial prosperity.”
• “Over 13,000 ships cross Dubai Creek annually”

Dubai Municipality has implemented a project to rebuild and rehabilitate the supporting walls along the Deira side of Dubai Creek, with a total expense of AED 112 million. The project aims to enhance the effectiveness of the creek’s retaining walls by upgrading the dock, reconstructing sections that have been damaged and dilapidated over the past 50 years, and preventing potential flooding during harsh weather conditions. This effort aims to minimize disruptions to commercial traffic caused by flooding or bad weather.

The project is set to be implemented in two phases, with the initial phase involving the restoration of a 2.1 km stretch along the Deira side of Dubai Creek. The site will be divided into multiple sections, and each segment will be sequentially patterned to ensure uninterrupted docking traffic. The second phase will cover a 2.3 km length on the Bur Dubai side.

Global Reputation:

H.E. Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, stated that the project highlights Dubai Municipality’s commitment to transforming Dubai into a more attractive and innovative city by enhancing various elements and services it offers through the strategic and sustainable development of all coastal facilities and infrastructure in the Emirate. The goal is to solidify Dubai’s position as a global tourism hub and augment its economic and commercial prosperity.

Al Hajri said: “The project is set to improve security and safety measures for maritime traffic and commercial operations within Dubai Creek. As a significant symbol of the city’s growth, Dubai Creek serves as a vibrant artery at the heart of Dubai. Facilitating the passage of over 13,000 ships annually, it plays a key role in fostering the economic and social prosperity of the emirate. Additionally, the creek further supports commercial dealings with neighboring markets in the region.”

“We have implemented several measures to mitigate the risks posed by climate change and rising sea levels, closely monitoring changes on both sides of the creek. Furthermore, we have conducted technical studies to devise construction designs that can enhance the efficiency of the marine docks on both banks. These designs adhere to the highest global standards, ensuring the preservation of the supporting walls’ stability and safeguarding against increased flooding during seasonal weather conditions.” Al Hajri added.

Comprehensive work:

The project’s 14-month timeline includes the restoration of the 2.1 km Deira pier, which involves replacement and the rehabilitation of damaged sections of the concrete wall, reaching a depth of 8 meters and increasing its height to 3 meters. These improvements aim to ensure the safe docking of ships in the area.

By initiating this project, the Municipality aims to enhance services and facilities for safe docking and navigation, which will be ensured through the provision of 200 anchors across the dock.

Dubai Creek is one of the most vital historic maritime channels in the Emirate, marking the initiation of Dubai’s trade interactions with the world over a century ago. Despite the extensive development in the Emirate of Dubai, the Creek continues to maintain its historical, commercial, and economic importance, along with modern projects prevalent in the emirate, in addition to serving as a significant tourist hub for residents, visitors, and tourists.