ART BLOG Details

Dubai's Artistic Transformation: Public Art in Dubai Blossoms with Roundabout Beautification

Dubai Municipality has unveiled a spectacular transformation of four prominent roundabouts across the Emirate of Dubai, marking a significant milestone in Dubai’s endeavour to infuse art into its public spaces.

Under the banner of the ‘Dubai Public Roundabout Beauty Project,’ roundabouts in Al Warqa, Nad Al Sheba, Nad Al Hamar, and Al Khawanej, have undergone remarkable metamorphoses, blending artistry with urban landscapes.

This ambitious project aligns perfectly with Dubai's visionary ‘Art in Public Spaces’ strategy, an initiative aimed at showcasing Dubai as a global city with a rich cultural heritage. It seeks to make art accessible and open to everyone, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Emirate's public spaces.

Nad Al Hamar roundabout

Al Warqa (Leaf) Roundabout: The design of Al-Warqa Roundabout takes inspiration from its name, with a central structure featuring intricate leaf and bird designs encircling the roundabout's ring. Rising to a height of 3.5 metres and with a thickness of 240 centimetres, it is a symbol of natural beauty within the city.

Nad Al Hamar Roundabout: This roundabout's design draws from the area's name, resembling delicate rose petals that mirror the contours of the nearby red dunes. With heights ranging from 1.9 to 2.9m it captures the essence of Nad Al-Hamar Garden's enchanting beauty.

Nad Al Sheba Roundabout: Inspired by the term "NAD," symbolizing elevated earthy hills in the region, this roundabout mimics the rhythmic patterns of ocean waves, with heights varying from 0.6 to 2m. It's a true reflection of nature's poetry.

Al Khawanej Roundabout: Reflecting its name, associated with a freshwater well known as Al-Khawanej, this 3-m-tall roundabout showcases a farm inspired by the desert's agricultural heritage. It pays homage to the essential trade and cultural practices of the local inhabitants.

Dubai Municipality has not only added artistic elements but also introduced green spaces with Sesuvium, Pennisetum, bougainvillaea, Ruellia, and seasonal flowers within these roundabouts, creating a harmonious blend of art and nature.

The artistic roundabouts of Dubai

In Dubai, roundabouts were part of the first town plan devised in 1960 by the British architect John Harris, reports UAE newspaper The National.

For years the roundabouts remained unadorned — circular empty sandy knolls without even grass on them — but Dubai Municipality had larger plans to green the city and create fountains as a way of signifying beauty, progress and advancement.

Added some time after 1972, the emirate can now boast a fish sculpture on a roundabout in Deira and, in the same neighbourhood, the famous Clock Tower, which can all be seen by visitors and exhibitors coming to World Art Dubai 2024.

The fusion of artistic objects and decorative floral patterns aligns with Dubai’s strategic goals of creating a more appealing and integrated public environment. The emirate’s journey towards becoming a true hub of art and culture continues to blossom with each artistic endeavour.

Dubai Municipality