Sheikh Mohammed: Dubai’s expansive urban development plan enters a new phase

The second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan has been approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
Phase II of the plan will include several projects under ten key initiatives. This includes enhancing urban centers, the Dubai real estate strategy, the Urban Farming plan, Preserving Urban Heritage plan, developing the 20-minute city policy, and the Pedestrian Network Master plan.
Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed the progress of 17 projects and initiatives that were part of the initial phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
“Today, we have a clear vision for the development of Dubai’s urban infrastructure and housing sector until 2040. Our goal is for Dubai to be an eco- and pedestrian-friendly city, and a city with a high yield from urban agriculture,” the Dubai leader said.
Under the plan, five main urban centers – three existing and two new centers – will be developed in the emirate.
The plan will also include a “comprehensive strategy for Dubai’s real estate sector up to 2040 to align it with the requirements of the Master Plan and strike a balance between supply and demand,” a statement by the media office said.
The master plan will also include initiatives for the real estate market, and also outlined ways to achieve sustainable urban development, and boost investor confidence.
The second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan will also include a framework for high-yield agriculture and farming by identifying suitable locations and developing the infrastructure and facilities required to ensure food security, the statement said.
“Phase II also outlines plans for preserving urban heritage to enhance the emirate’s identity, promote historical areas, landmarks and buildings, and improve the tourism experience at archaeological sites.”
The second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan will also include a 20-minute city, which allows residents to reach their destinations within 20 minutes by foot or bicycle.
The project will see the development of integrated service centers with necessary facilities.
Residents will also be able to access 80 percent of their daily needs and destinations through mass transit stations.
“A plan will be developed to enhance and utilize urban spaces, such as alleyways, spaces underneath bridges, and squares, by augmenting the elements of well-being to make them attractive and relaxing for residents and visitors,” the statement said.
The initiative is aimed at “enriching the beauty of urban areas, developing green corridors, reducing the carbon footprint, and enhancing the landscaping strategy,” the statement said, adding that a comprehensive plan for pedestrians and soft mobility across Dubai will focus on connected pathways in high-density areas.
Phase II of the master plan also includes the development of an “avenue” for all residential neighborhoods. “It entails defining an area within the residential neighborhoods and developing it under the principle of integrated street,” the statement said.
As of now, the completed initiatives include drafting the Urban Planning Law and developing an integrated planning database to support sustainable development in line with the emirate’s plans, the statement said.
The initiatives also included the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan, which aims to preserve the nature of those areas and serve the needs of residents and visitors. The plan also aims to “enhance the well-being of residents and visitors besides providing a unique tourist experience and developing Dubai’s countryside as one of its main tourist attractions.”
Among the completed projects also was the launch of the Hatta Development Master Plan.
By the end of this year, the Supreme Committee of Urban Planning aims to conclude another five projects.
This will include a project to increase the size of Dubai’s public beaches and develop a draft of the Dubai Wellbeing Strategy.
Meanwhile, the projects scheduled for completion in 2023 will include the preparation of a plan for “integrating land uses and transport policies, landscaping policy, directing development in coastal areas and increasing the length of beaches, doubling the public parks and recreational areas, developing a sustainable mobility plan, and environment and sustainability plan,” the statement said.
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, approved by the emirate’s ruler in 2021, aims to make Dubai the best city for living.
The new plan also identifies six urbanization levels that follow a graded structure of urban centers of mixed uses and densities that perform specific residential and functional roles for the community within the scope of their services.
“It would be possible to determine infrastructure requirements—roads and transportation systems, energy and government services such as hospitals, schools, service centers, and service and recreational facilities—in a way that provides integrated services across all Dubai districts while enhancing the use of flexible and sustainable means of mobility,” under these six levels.