Eight per cent of Dubai city will be turned into green areas by 2020, the municipality said.
And Abu Dhabi is to have five new public parks under plans announced by the authorities there.
Hussein Nasser Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, said 101 landscaping and greenery projects costing Dh843 million had either been completed or would be ready before the end of the year.
A total of 310 hectares have been set aside for new facilities. The projects include lake and community parks and planting areas around intersections and along roads.
Community parks will be created at Mizhir 1, Abu Hail, Sufouh, Barsha, Nad Al Hamar, Hatta and Garhoud.
They will have children's playgrounds, car parks, playing fields for football, basketball and volleyball and covered spaces.
And lake parks will be built at Al Nahda, Al Barsha, Al Qusais and Al Quoz.They will have large lakes, walkways and shaded seating.
The private sector will be invited to invest in restaurants, coffee shops, internet cafes, plant shops, playgrounds, sports grounds for youngsters and picnic boats on the lakes.
In Abu Dhabi, preliminary plans for four of the parks - at Al Murar, Al Butain, Al Rawdha and Al Mushrif - have been approved by the municipality and town planning department. They will cost Dh17 million.
Director-General Jumaa Mubarak Al Jinaibi said his department had sought help from leading world experts in urban planning as it drew up its plans.
The green spaces are intended to offer facilities for all age groups and nationalities.There will be sports facilities, walkways, shaded areas, play areas for children and benches.
Two parks have already been opened at Al Bahiya and Al Rahba.
The Bahiya park has 36,000 square metres of greenery that includes date palms and other trees plus facilities for games, a cafeteria and children's playgrounds. The Al Rahba park covers an area of 40,000 square metres and has pools and fountains, trees, a cafeteria and playgrounds.
Meanwhile, Khalidiya Beach is being developed to provide the public with more leisure facilities.
By Khalid al Lobani Ibrahim al Satri
© Emirates Today 2007
