Dubai, the shopping-loving city that is home to one of the world's largest shopping centres, wants to build one even bigger.

Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has laid out plans for a sprawling project known as Mall of the World that will include an 8 million square foot (743,224 sq m) shopping centre, a climate-controlled street network, a theme park covered during the scorching summer months and 100 hotels and serviced apartments.

The complex will be built near the Mall of the Emirates, which boasts an indoor ski slope, and a short drive from the world's tallest tower, The Burj Khalifa, and adjacent to the Dubai Mall.

The Dubai Media Office announced the project but gave no details on the cost or the completion date.