Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Roads and Transport Authority have unveiled a new public artwork at the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel as part of the broader Dubai Tunnels Initiative. The project features a site-specific installation by Emirati artist and designer Maryam Al Hathboor, further expanding Dubai’s integration of art, design, and urban infrastructure.
The initiative reflects Dubai’s continued investment in public art as a component of city planning and cultural identity. At the same time, it positions transportation corridors as platforms for visual storytelling and creative engagement. Consequently, the project transforms a high-traffic roadway into a cultural landmark connected to the city’s historical narrative.
“When art meets infrastructure, daily journeys begin to tell #Dubai’s story.”
Located within the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, the artwork draws inspiration from Dubai’s maritime heritage and longstanding role as a regional trading hub. Moreover, the visual composition references the surrounding urban geography while connecting historical memory with the city’s rapidly evolving architectural landscape.
Maryam Al Hathboor Explores Dubai’s Maritime and Trading Heritage
The installation is part of a growing movement to integrate locally commissioned art into public infrastructure projects across the UAE. In addition, the work highlights how contemporary Emirati artists increasingly contribute to the visual identity of urban environments through large-scale civic commissions.
“As part of ‘Dubai Tunnels Initiative’, Emirati artist and designer Maryam Al Hathboor presents at Al Khaleej Street Tunnel an artwork inspired by the street’s location and the city’s heritage, taking road users on a visual journey that connects #Dubai’s maritime and trading legacy with its evolving present.”
Al Hathboor’s design approach combines contemporary visual language with references to historical trade routes, coastal landscapes, and traditional maritime culture. Therefore, the installation encourages residents and visitors to experience everyday commuting spaces through a cultural and artistic lens.
The project also reinforces Dubai’s emphasis on embedding creative expression into public life. Rather than isolating art within galleries and museums, the initiative incorporates visual culture directly into civic infrastructure used by thousands of commuters each day.
Public Art Expands Across Dubai’s Urban Landscape
Through collaborations between government agencies and cultural institutions, Dubai continues to position public art as a defining element of urban development. Furthermore, initiatives like the Dubai Tunnels Initiative support local artists while enhancing the visual character of the city’s transportation network.
“Through a collaboration between #RTA and Dubai Culture, these initiatives continue to turn the road network into a space for local creativity, and an urban landscape that highlights Dubai’s beauty for residents and visitors.”
The Al Khaleej Street Tunnel project also reflects broader international trends in integrating design, architecture, and public art into infrastructure planning. As cities increasingly focus on placemaking and cultural identity, Dubai’s approach demonstrates how transportation environments can serve as both practical infrastructure and curated public space.