Al Rigga

Al Rigga or Al Riqqa (Arabic: الرقة) is a locality in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located in the heart of eastern Dubai in Deira, Al Rigga is a residential and commercial centre. Al Rigga is bordered by Rigga Al Buteen, Port Saeed, Al Muraqqabat and Naif and bounded to the south by Dubai Creek.

Al Rigga
الرقة
Community
Coordinates: 25.26325°N 55.31994°E / 25.26325; 55.31994
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
EmirateDubai
CityDubai
Area
 • Total0.89 km2 (0.34 sq mi)
Population
 (2000)[1]
 • Total5,684
 • Density6,400/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
Community number119

Al Rigga is bounded in the east by route D 88 (Omar bin Khattab Road) and to the east by route D 89 (Al Maktoum Road). The Union Square is located in Al Rigga where buses and taxis provide transport within the emirate as well as to other emirates in the country. The Dubai Clock Tower, which lies at the intersection of Umm Hurair Road and route D 89 is situated in Al Rigga. Additionally, several international hotels such as the Radisson Blu, Carlton and Riviera hotels are located in Al Rigga.

Local roads in Al Rigga follow a grid pattern, continuing in numerical sequence from those of Al Muraqqabat Even-numbered streets progress northeast–southwest, beginning with 2nd Street (near Bani Yas Cemetery) and end with 44th A Street (near Rigga Al Buteen Plaza).

Both Al Rigga and Al Muraqqabat play a central role in the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) celebrations. Planet Pepsi, a DSF entertainment park is located in Al Rigga.

History

Al Rigga is home to the country's first mall, Al Ghurair Centre, and the first McDonald's branch. Built in 1981, both continue to thrive to this day and have undergone renovations in recent years and is now a 620-room large property.[2][3]

Landmarks

Deira Clocktower
Main article: Deira Clocktower

It was built in early 1960s, as a symbol of Dubai and called after the Emirate. The roundabout in Al Rigga had the tower at its core and it was the most famous landmark in the then smaller city. In technical terms it is the oldest ‘monument’ in modern Dubai. By sheer usage it became known as the Deira Clock Tower. The Clock Tower has held its own even as it was dwarfed by the construction around it. It enjoys a certain affection with the public and even as traffic swirls around it from different flyovers and turnoffs, the Tower is still referred as an important landmark. [4]

References
  1. Existing Population and Future Holding Capacities in Dubai Urban Area Archived 2008-09-11 at the Wayback Machine. Dubai Healthcare City. 2000
  2. Sarwat Nasir (February 14, 2019). "Al Rigga Road: A hub where much of Dubai started". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved Oct 2, 2021.
  3. "Amal El Ansari has been appointed General Manager at Swissotel Al Ghurair in Dubai". Hospitality Net. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  4. Khaleej Times (November 8, 2011). "Dubai's venerable timekeeper". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on Oct 2, 2021. Retrieved Oct 2, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.