The Canals

About The Canals

Carving the patterns of the heavens into the desert sands the Union Canal describes the celestial path of the Milky Way. Flowing inland from Dubai Creek it describes a wide arc across the Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens before rejoining the waters of the Gulf once more.

Cutting across its meandering course, the dramatic diagonal of the Grand Axial Canal points to way to the holy city of Mecca, furbishing the city with a permanent means of spiritual alignment. Reversing the current trend for reclaiming land from sea these canals bring water to the desert, transforming the arid dunes into valuable real estate.

Unifying the city’s masterplan this 21st century navigation functions as both urban artery and leisure amenity, open to citizen and visitor alike. Creating miles of lively democratic waterfronts the Union Canal will be the envy of the world.