All you need to know about the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan

• Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan Highlights
• District Development Plans
• Sustainable Development Plans for Dubai
• Population Growth Plans
• Dubai 2040 FAQs

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. This urban plan is geared towards making Dubai the world’s best city to live and work in, with the focused development of five key districts.

The Master Plan for Dubai 2040 seeks to attract foreign investment to new sectors, foster greater economic activity and provide residents with sustainable and flexible mobility means. We’ve compiled everything you need about this innovative and detailed plan for Dubai’s future.

DUBAI 2040 MASTER PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

Top highlights from the grand reveal of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan include the following:

• Investment and urban development are to be focused on five main areas: three existing ones (Deira & Bur Dubai, Downtown & Business Bay, Dubai Marina & JBR) and two upcoming (Expo 2020 Centre, Dubai Silicon Oasis Centre). These areas will support the growth of the economic sector and create job opportunities for residents.
• Dubai residents are expected to grow from 3.3 million in 2020 to 5.8 million by 2040, and the government’s plans to efficiently provide for them.
• 168 sq. km. of land to be dedicated to economic and industrial activities. Recently, a plan was unveiled to scout for locations and develop the infrastructure that helps ensure food security.
• Wildlife sanctuaries and natural reserves to constitute 60% of Dubai by 2040.
• Areas designated for public beaches are to be extended by 400%.
• 25% increase in spaces designated for educational and health facilities.
• 55% of the population will live within 800 metres of main public transport stations.
• Development of a 20-minute city, where residents can reach a majority of their daily needs and places within 20 minutes on foot or by bicycle.
• An urban planning law is issued to support sustainable development and improvement in Dubai.

URBAN PLANNING LAW

To regulate urban planning in Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. (16) of 2023. It aims to develop an effective urban planning system that encourages sustainable development in Dubai and the community’s safety, security and investment. It also seeks to enhance the governance of the urban planning sector, define the authority’s responsibilities, and improve cooperation and integration.

Here’s a quick breakdown of this law:

• A Supreme Committee for Urban Planning will be formed, comprising representatives of authorities relevant to urban planning in Dubai. These representatives will be appointed through a resolution issued by the chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
• The Urban Planning law defines the tasks of the Supreme Committee, defining urban development goals within the framework of approved strategies and goals.
• Dubai Municipality has been assigned the sole responsibility of regulating Dubai’s urban planning sector. Dubai Municipality has been given the authority to coordinate with entities that oversee free zones and special development zones in the emirate.
• It is prohibited for any individual to pursue development work in Dubai without a permit. They should ensure compliance with the legislation and conditions of the permit.
• The Urban Planning law will be published in the Official Gazette and will be effective 90 days from the date of issuance.
• The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan will be considered the approved structural plan for Dubai from the law’s start date.

DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR DUBAI 2040

Let’s now look at the five areas referenced in the Dubai 2040 Master Plan. 

Plans For Existing Areas

• Bur Dubai and Deira will be developed into ‘Dubai historic centres’ highlighting the emirate’s history and heritage.
• Downtown and Business Bay will be further upgraded to function as the city’s independent economic and financial epicentres.
• JBR Dubai and Dubai Marina will be further developed into international tourism hubs for Dubai, offering visitors premium hospitality and leisure options. 
• Hatta will be further developed alongside the existing dam and lake as an adventure attraction.
• A luxury lifestyle project in Palm Jebel Ali includes 80 hotels, resorts, green areas and other recreational spaces spanning 13.4 km.
• 110 km of coastline will be added to Dubai, offering beachside living to over 35,000 families.

PLANS FOR NEW AND DEVELOPING AREAS IN DUBAI FOR 2040

• Expo City Dubai is to be an international gateway for events and exhibitions at a grand scale
• Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) will be further developed into Dubai’s science and technology centre, serving as a source of innovation, talent generation and digital transformation for the city.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLANS

The government has taken on the task of improving sustainable development across the UAE with various initiatives currently in progress, including the UAE energy strategy 2050. The vision for DUBAI 2040 from the Urban Master Plan will prioritise sustainability with initiatives that aim to:

• Provide sustainable and flexible means of mobility.
• Enhance environmental sustainability.
• Increase the number of green spaces, recreational areas and public parks
• Increase the nature reserves and rural natural areas to 60 per cent of Dubai’s total area.
• Set up multiple green corridors to link service areas, residential areas and workplaces. They will also facilitate the movement of pedestrians, bicycles and other sustainable mobility means across the city.
• Develop vacant urban spaces to encourage walking, cycling and the use of mass transit and other flexible means of transportation.

POPULATION GROWTH PLANS

Keeping in mind the predicted growth of the residential population from 3.3 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2040 and the day-time population from 4.5 million in 2020 to 7.8 million by 2040, the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 has set the following goals:

• To offer equitable access to facilities, services and opportunities across Dubai.
• To distribute the population across Dubai into the five main centres (detailed above), each with a population of about 1 to 1.5M. Inside these centres, ‘multi-sectors’ will each house a population between 300k and 400k. Then, each sector within a multi-sector will have a population of between 70k and 125k.
• The sectors are then segregated into districts with a population of 20k and 30k. The districts are further broken down into communities, each housing a population of 6k to 12k. Finally, those communities will be divided into neighbourhoods with a population of between 2k and 4k.
• Infrastructure, public transit systems, energy and government services, schools, hospitals and other service centres will be planned across the city based on the population distribution outlined above.

FAQs about the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan

WHAT IS THE DUBAI 2040 URBAN MASTER PLAN?

Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 is a comprehensive future map of the developments to take place in the city within the next nineteen years. With a clear focus on sustainable development, this plan maps out the population distribution, innovation and economic growth, and increased opportunities in Dubai.

WHAT OTHER URBAN PROJECTS ARE TAKING SHAPE IN DUBAI?

There are several massive new developments in Dubai for each sector, from real estate and entertainment to retail and transport, that people can anticipate in the near future. Some exciting projects include Dubai Reef and Meydan One Mall.

Additionally, there are a host of upcoming transportation projects in the UAE that aim to improve mobility while still being sustainable. These projects include driverless cars and flying taxis, which sound like they are straight out of a sci-fi movie but could be a reality in the future. 

Regarding residential districts, there are several under-development projects in Dubai that will soon take shape into thriving urban living and entertainment hubs.

HOW CAN I INVEST IN DUBAI?

Both non-residents and foreign nationals (who are residents) can invest in Dubai too! The Dubai Government passed laws in 2002 to allow freehold property ownership in Dubai for foreigners, which means they can buy property, but only in specifically designated areas. You can check out our guide for foreigners buying property in Dubai, UAE, for further information.

The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan is attuned to raising the quality of life for the residents of Dubai in the coming years. It is the incredible foresight of the country’s rulers, like previous plans such as UAE Vision 2021.

To see Dubai transform into one of the leading smart and sustainable cities in the near future and a better, more sustainable version of itself is truly something to look forward to.

Interested in following the story of Dubai’s growth? Stay tuned to MyBayut, the region’s best property blog, as we share all the details on various developments throughout the UAE.