Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan
Dubai municipality is the sole competent authority in developing the spatial structural plan for the Emirate of Dubai. The latest of these structural plans is Dubai 2040 (“The Plan”), which was launched in 2021. The Plan is a long-term strategic plan to guide urban development and support His Highness’ vision of making Dubai “the best city to live in”.
Dubai 2040 will direct development in a coordinated manner through its structure plan approach, including strategies, principles, policy directions, and initiatives to serve as the guide to other lower-order plans.
The Plan’s primary goals are to:
- Optimise the utilisation of space and infrastructure
- Plan vibrant and healthy communities with a range of housing and core facilities
- Enhance provision of parks and open space
- Improve accessibility with a people centric approach
- Enhance the effectiveness of economic land
- Improve environmental spatial quality and resilience
- Protect heritage, archaeology, and places of cultural significance
- Apply spatial planning and development regulations in a consistent and coordinated manner
The Plan is the government’s primary tool to harmonise the spatial initiatives in its renewed planning system. It covers both Metropolitan Dubai and Hatta. The Plan celebrates the emirate’s rich history while setting an ambitious future-focused agenda by coordinating spatial development to improve Dubai’s environment, ease of business, housing choice, park provision and infrastructure efficiency. This will place the Emirate on a path of sustainable, future-proofed growth as it prepares to double its residential population in the face of game changing environmental, technological and economic opportunities and to position Dubai as the world’s best city for living.
