With a population of 314,981, Al Quoz stands as one of the most densely populated districts in both the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE as a whole. Al Quoz is primarily an industrial area, but is also known for its contemporary art galleries, shops and restaurants.[2]
Etymology
Al Quoz derives its name from Arabic, where "Al" means "the" and "Quoz" (قوز) refers to a barchan, a type of crescent-shaped sand dune formed by wind. These dunes are typical in desert regions and reflect the area’s original desert landscape prior to development.[3] The name Al Quoz may also have a potential Persian etymology. In Persian, the word "قوز" (Quoz) can mean "hump" or "elevation," similar to its Arabic meaning.[4]
Organization
Al Quoz consists of a mainly residential area in the northeast and an industrial area in the southwest with four subcommunities each.
The residential areas of Al Quoz 1, 2, and 4 are home to mainly Emirati families. The newest of them, Al Quoz 2, is an ex-landfill south of Al Khail road towards Meydan and is the only area outside the rectangle. It hosts Al Quoz Pond Park and borders the newly built MBR City. On January 12, 2024, Al Quoz 2 got renamed “Ghadeer Al Tair”. Al Quoz 3 is mainly industrial.
Al Quoz industrial areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 are in the southwest of the rectangle and are being developed by Dubai Municipality as an industrial and mass accommodation area. There are a number of car showrooms in the Al Quoz Industrial Area 1.[5]
Population
As of the latest data from the Dubai Statistics Centre, the total population of Al Quoz is approximately 314,981.
The government of Dubai launched the Al Quoz Creative District as part of the Dubai 2040 cityplan; it will serve as a one‑stop shop and free zone area for creative‑related services, and as a centre for issuing relevant business permits and visas.
The new zone will be an integrated development, with multipurpose spaces for artists, designers, and other creatives to live, work, exhibit, and sell their products. Suitable operatives registered in the new zone will be eligible for the Al Quoz Creative membership programme that will provide benefits such as exemptions on import, export, and visa issuance fees; licensing fees; and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry fees. Other incentives will include low rents and logistical business support. For entrepreneurial start‑ups, training programmes will also be available to help in turning creative ideas into businesses.
Graffiti on a side street in Al Quoz.
Creative fields targeted for the district include writing, publishing and print; audio‑visual media, such as cinema, music, and video; and artistic and cultural industries, such as historic‑site‑related, cultural heritage museums, libraries, and major cultural events. Video gaming and software industries will also be encouraged, along with the full sweep of commercial design including fashion, gaming, software, and architecture.
The project is the first of a number of government initiatives launched under the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy that seeks to improve Dubai’s attractiveness to creators, entrepreneurs, investors, and local and global investments in creative industries. The goal is to transform the emirate into a global capital for innovation by 2025.[7]
Incidents
In March 2007, labourers from Al Quoz Industrial rioted, as part of a larger 8,000 strong protest against contracting companies, demanding better living conditions and a wage increase of 200 dirhams (US$ 55) and a food allowance of 50 dirhams (US$ 14) per month.[8]
Explosion at a warehouse in Al Quoz on the 26th of March, 2008
On 26 March 2008, an explosion ripped through two warehouses in Al Quoz industrial killing at least two people. The explosion originated from a warehouse storing gas and subsequently ignited a warehouse next door containing fireworks. Flames from the explosion spread to seventy warehouses nearby, causing at least AED 600,000,000 ($170 million) of damage. Debris from the gas warehouse and fireworks warehouse landed as far away as the communities of Al Safa and Jumeirah. This was the seventh industrial accident in Al Quoz in five years.[9]
On 25 April 2022, a worker in Al Quoz industrial was sentenced to life in jail for killing his employer who rejected his leave request to travel back home. The 23-year-old man, who worked at a garage in Al Quoz Industrial area, had a heated argument with his manager before slitting his throat with a sharp knife and then smashing his head with a hammer.[10]
Attractions
Al Quoz is known for its many art galleries, housed in warehouse spaces.[11] Several contemporary art galleries and luxury car showrooms are located on Alserkal Avenue.[12]
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