The Mall of the World will become the first climate-controlled city in the world as Dubai unveils its plans to develop an extensive indoor city covered by a massive retractable dome.

It will be comprised of hotels, shops, restaurants, a theme park and a wellness district, all of which will be connected by avenues.

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Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum announced that the Mall of the World will be the first colossal project to surface in Dubai after major economic downturns.The emirate is expected to be transformed into a cultural and economic hub that will potentially attract over 180 million visitors annually.

There have been no details announced regarding the budget and timeframe for the Mall of the World. However, the state-owned development company Dubai Holding has expressed its hopes in making this mega-project the top priority at the 2020 UAE World Expo trade fair.

With diversity emerging as a key theme, the Mall of the World will incorporate elements of cities from all over the world, from Oxford Street in London to Broadway in New York.  

Situated along Shaikh Zayed Road, the structure's area will take up 48 million square feet and will be covered by a retractable glass dome. The proposed project is expected to be just about four times the total area of Dubai Mall, which occupies 13 million square feet.

Parking space will be available for 50,000 vehicles.  

Its shopping center will take up 8 million square feet whereas 100 hotels and apartment buildings comprised of 20,000 rooms are also expected to be established.

In addition, an indoor family theme park complete with castles and waterfalls will be developed at this mega structure.

Air-conditioned retail streets may appeal to visitors who prefer to stay indoors and seek cool relief while shopping during summer. As pointed out by Dubai Holding, visitors can enjoy their stay at the complex even without using a car or having to leave the city.

Healthcare and fitness have also been incorporated into the plans as 3 million square feet will be allocated for the wellness district. These will ensure visitors' access to high-quality health care, facilities, cosmetic treatments, and surgical procedures, among others.

Sheikh Mohammed has stressed the role of tourism in boosting Dubai's economy; as such, they seek to make it more possible for the UAE to become a popular and comfortable destination all year long.

TagsDubai Holding, Sheikh Mohammed