Dubai: Building the city of the future
Dubai Economic Agenda – D33
Showcasing the city’s grand ambitions is the Dubai Economic Agenda – D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy while helping to establish it as one of the world’s most sustainable cities.
The comprehensive macroeconomic strategy is underpinned by 100 transformative projects that will reshape the way people live, work and play in the emirate.
The strategy aims to add AED32 trillion ($8.71 trillion) to Dubai’s economy over the next 10 years, doubling its foreign trade output to reach AED25.6 trillion while adding 400 new cities worldwide as key trading partners.
Launched in January 2023 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, D33 positions tourism as a core priority, with the goal of making the emirate one of the world’s top three international destinations for travel and tourism.
2040 Urban Master Plan
D33 also aligns with the emirate’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which provides a sustainable development roadmap for the city over the next 20 years.
The ambitious civic development strategy estimates that parkland and recreational spaces will account for 60% of Dubai’s total area by 2040, more than double the allocated space today, providing ample green spaces for a population which is forecast to swell to 5.8 million in 2040 from 3.3 million today.
Green corridors will be established linking Dubai’s main urban areas, providing sustainable transit routes for the city’s residents with the addition of bike lanes and mass transit services.
Meanwhile, the total length of public beaches in the emirate will increase by as much as 400% in 2040.
Transforming Dubai into a '20-minute city'
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently outlined its strategic plan to transform the emirate into a '20-minute city'. The concept focuses on ensuring that 80% of daily services are accessible to residents within a 20-minute journey by walking or cycling, promoting a more sustainable, healthy, and efficient urban environment .
The plan is one of five main goals outlined in the RTA’s Strategic Plan 2024-2030, with the others focusing on improving accessibility, fostering better integration of multi-modal transport, expanding current and future mobility services, and charting smart mobility solutions.
Embracing green mobility and infrastructure
The RTA is also spearheading Dubai’s groundbreaking Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050 strategy. The RTA's pioneering plan for emission-free public transport integrates three strategic pillars: green mobility, infrastructure, and circular economy.
The initiative calls for all taxis, limousines and public buses to be 100% electric, and for all electricity to be generated by renewable sources. It also calls for eliminating municipal waste through recycling initiatives. Longer term, the roadmap will incentivise the widespread adoption of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and the installation of solar panels on existing buildings and facilities .
emissions in the emirate by 10 million tonnes, achieving financial savings of AED3.3 billion .
A model for sustainability and innovation
Dubai’s ambitious plans for the future reflect its status as one of the world’s most advanced and forward-thinking cities. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices Dubai is not only enhancing its infrastructure but also contributing significantly to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Ultimately, Dubai’s emphasis on green mobility, efficient resource use, and climate efficient urban spaces demonstrates the city’s ambitious approach to sustainable urban development, balancing growth with long-term environmental responsibility.