Dubai in World Heritage Site race

Dubai, Sep 25 (IANS/WAM) Dubai Municipality is making its final preparations before the visit of experts from Unesco who will assess the eligibility of Dubai Creek to be named a World Heritage Site.

"We submitted the proposal last January, which has already been reviewed by officials from Unesco and another expert will be visiting the creek in October," Rashad Bukhash, director of the architectural heritage department of the Dubai Municipality, was quoted Wednesday as saying.

"To fulfil the requirements of a World Heritage Site, we will set up a tourist office that will provide tourists and residents with everything they need to know about the creek's importance in Dubai," he added.

He also described how Dubai Creek has played an important and vital role in making Dubai what it is now.

Located in the heart of Dubai, the creek is a natural seawater inlet of the Arabian Gulf, 14 km long and between 100-500 metres wide.

The creek divides the city into two parts and has played a major role in the economic development of the region throughout history.

According to media reports here, the final announcement about the creek's eligibility to enter the prestigious list is expected to come in June 2014.

Before that, lighting, signage, landscaping, waste collection and toilet facilities will be upgraded.