A new city is to be built in Dubai which will feature the world's largest mall, a theme park complex and 100
hotels.
Plans for the new Mohammed bin Rashid city were revealed by prime minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
As well as the gigantic Mall of the World, the city will also house 100 hotels, a 455-acre park and an international family attraction in collaboration with Universal Studios.
Located between Emirates Road, Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, the development will be overseen by Dubai Holding, a global investment holding company owned by the sheikh, and Emaar Properties, the developer of the Burj Khalifa.
Dubai-based real estate company Meraas Holding will develop the project with the first stage expected to be completed in 2014.
Plans for the new city are largely divided into four themes - family tourism, retail, art galleries and a "unique area that will provide an integrated environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region."
The family tourism section will be set up in collaboration with Universal Studios and include more than 100 hotel facilities to meet the needs of visitors to the region.
It will also house a US$2.7bn (2.1bn euro, £1.7bn) complex made up of five theme parks including one based around India's Bollywood cinema industry.
There will also be an adventure park featuring Hollywood brands, a marine park, a children's park and a night safari.
Meraas has formed partnerships with several major film studios in Mumbai to obtain content for the Bollywood Parks section, which will include a theatre showing Broadway-style musicals.
In addition, the water and marine life park will feature aquatic life, rides and live performances, while a children's theme park will include entertainment designed for toddlers, pre-schoolers and primary school children. A night safari will showcase wild desert-themed attractions.
The second component will focus on retail featuring the largest shopping mall in the world while the third section will include the largest area for art galleries in the region.
The project will also comprise an integrated environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Other facilities include a number of golf courses under well-known international names.
