Project to replace street numbers with names shelved in Dubai

 The project to rename Dubai streets has apparently been shelved. on Tuesday, Hussain Lootah, Director-General, Dubai Municipality, said in a statement a decision was taken to dissolve the project committee. The statement did not state a reason for the decision.
Under the project, street numbers were being replaced by names in a bid to make them easier to identify and remember. Now, the remaining streets and roads will keep the old names until further notice.
All major roads and many of the internal roads were already renamed by last August.
The project also involved the Roads and Transport Authority. However, when contacted, RTA officials were not available for comment.
Many residents don’t know the official name or number of their street. It is common for people to use landmarks or unofficial street descriptions for reference.
Under initial plans, a total of around 22,000 roads were slated to be eventually renamed, replacing the old numbering system. It was not immediately clear how far the project had progressed before yesterday’s announcement.
Scores of streets have already been renamed. For example, Road 312 became First Al Khail Street, 11a Street became Al Manara Street, and 319 Street became Latifa Bint Hamdan Street.
Last August, the municipality had said it expected to complete installing street name signposts by mid-2015.
Work was under way
Back then, it had already renamed roads intersecting with Shaikh Zayed Road, the Umm Suqeim 1,2,3 areas, Al Sufouh 1,2 areas and Dubai Marina.
Work was under way at the time to also rename intersections in Dubai Investment Park, Jebel Ali Industrial Area, Nad Al Sheba 2,4 and Oud Muteena 1,2. Lootah had said last year street names would take into account the history and culture of the area to reflect Dubai’s heritage.
For example, streets in Jumeirah would have names bearing marine features such as boats and fish as the area was by the sea.
Likewise, inland areas as Mushrif and Al Aweer would bear the names of local trees and other things — even people — traditionally associated with the district.
However, in some cases streets already had names but were renamed.
For instance, Al Diyafa Street, named after the area it is in, became 2nd of December Street, named after UAE National Day.

Source: Gulfnews