Al Quoz

Al Quoz
القوز
United Arab Emirates community
Country United Arab Emirates
Emirate Dubai
City Dubai
Area
  Total 27 km2 (10 sq mi)
Population [1] (2000)
  Total 16,719
  Density 620/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Community number 354-355; 358-359
Coordinates 25°07′51″N 55°13′58″E / 25.13083°N 55.23273°E / 25.13083; 55.23273Coordinates: 25°07′51″N 55°13′58″E / 25.13083°N 55.23273°E / 25.13083; 55.23273

Al Quoz (Arabic: القوز), or Al Goze, is a locality in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Al Quoz is located in western Dubai. It is bordered to the north by Al Wasl and to the west by Umm Al Sheif, Al Manara and Al Safa, forming a long rectangle between Al Khail and Sheikh Zayed roads. 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 with spacious and individually designed houses, and is conveniently located close to popular destinations such as Safa Park and Business Bay. Newly developed (2012) Al Quoz 2 is south of Al Khail road towards Meydan and the only area outside the rectangle. It hosts Al Quoz' new Pond Park. As for Al Quoz 3 it is mainly industrial.

Al Quoz industrial areas 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in the southwest of the rectangle, and is being developed by Dubai Municipality as an industrial and mass accommodation area. It service development projects such as Dubai Marina and the freezone in Jebel Ali as well as many Dubai hotels by hosting facilities (also called labour camps) that are able to house about 2,000 labourers or staff.

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 Dh. 200 (US$ 55) and a food allowance of Dh. 150 (US$ 42) per month.[2]

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 Dh 600,000,000 ($170 mil) of damage. Debris from the gas warehouse and fireworks warehouse landed as far away as the communities of Al Safa and Jumeirah. This is the seventh industrial accident in Al Quoz in five years.[3]

Al Quoz is known for its many art galleries, housed in warehouse spaces.[4] Alserkal Avenue is located in Al Quoz and is today one of the most significant hubs of contemporary art, after the arrival contemporary art galleries such as Carbon 12 Dubai,[5] followed by Isabelle Van den Eynde Gallery, Green art gallery, FN Designs, and The Mine. Alserkal Avenue is as well home to the regions first private museum the Salsali Private Museum as well as many art galleries and a coffee shop.

References

  1. Existing Population and Future Holding Capacities in Dubai Urban Area. Dubai Healthcare City. 2000
  2. ‘Unruly’ workers face deportation. Khaleej Times. March 2007
  3. Explosion. March 26, 2008
  4. http://www.emirates.com/english/destinations_offers/discoverdubai/sightseeingindubai/alquozartgalleries.aspx
  5. http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/industrial-citys-art-scene-is-picture-of-vibrancy

See also

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