400+ dilapidated and abandoned buildings slated for demolition
The director general of Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah, has issued a directive to demolish more than 400 unlicensed, dilapidated and abandoned properties so that the remaining building stock complies with existing standards.
Once notified, owners of the buildings involved will be given six months to demolish, restore or complete construction of their properties.
The buildings in question have been labelled as dangerous, poorly maintained or abandoned, said Omar Mohammed Abdulrahman, the head of inspections at the municipality’s buildings department.
“This figure [400] is too high and that is why we must take immediate action,” said Mr Abdulrahman. Thorough inspections found some buildings too old and dangerous to the public and their health. Sometimes, crimes are happening in these buildings because doors are left open. They become unsafe and unclean.”
A committee of engineers formed by the buildings department will handle decisions about the fate of each building on the list after considering technical and aesthetic details on a case-by-case basis.
Owners whose buildings are on the list will be required to make payments into a fund intended to ensure implementation of the committee’s rulings. Owners will be allowed to rebuild on the land, provided strict guidelines are followed.
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