Dubai approves plan for 152 new parks and a citywide digital resilience framework

Dubai has approved a comprehensive set of new urban planning, housing and digital resilience policies aimed at strengthening quality of life, enhancing family-focused neighbourhoods and advancing the emirate’s next phase of development.

Among the approvals are more than 150 new parks, 33km of cycling tracks and a digital resilience strategy to help keep Dubai online.

The decisions were endorsed during a meeting of The Executive Council, chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Executive Council of Dubai plans

The new policies align with the Year of the Family announced by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Dubai Social Agenda 33 launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

They include a new planning model for residential areas that prioritises citizen welfare and family empowerment, the Digital Resilience Policy and the general plan for The Executive Council’s Agenda for 2026.

Sheikh Hamdan said Dubai continues to advance on an integrated development path that places its people at the centre of all future plans. He said, “Guided by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, citizen welfare and family empowerment form the foundation of Dubai’s future plans, driving efforts to make it the best, most beautiful, and most advanced city in the world.

“This model focuses on creating socially interconnected, service-integrated communities that enhance quality of life through homes, neighbourhoods, parks, schools, and their service centres.”

He emphasised that Dubai is strengthening resilience and proactive standards to ensure its digital and service infrastructure remains one of the most advanced globally. “We have one of the most advanced digital infrastructures in the world.

“To fulfil the objectives of the Dubai Digital Strategy launched in 2023 – digitalising life in Dubai, strengthening the digital economy, and empowering society – we continue to develop a robust digital government model and maintain the continuity and efficiency of digital services. The Digital Resilience Policy has been approved as a key tool to enhance digital leadership in a comprehensive and proactive way,” he said.

New parks and cycling trails

The Executive Council approved a new planning model for citizens’ residential areas — a pioneering urban framework that enhances sustainability, strengthens social cohesion and supports the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.

Rooted in the traditional Fareej concept, the model emphasises vibrant, interconnected neighbourhoods that promote family welfare and a stronger sense of belonging.

A core feature of the model is active mobility, with shaded walkways linking homes to service centres and dedicated paths for walking, running and cycling. Dubai will transform parks and public spaces into cultural and community hubs that encourage participation, healthy lifestyles and community-led initiatives.

The plans include the addition of 152 parks across Madinat Latifa and Al Yalayis, ensuring a maximum walking distance of 150m to the nearest green space.

The model also introduces more than 33km of cycling paths, central parks with diverse facilities and community infrastructure including majlis spaces and wedding halls.

In Madinat Latifa, plans cover 3,000 hectares housing 141,000 people, offering 18,500 residential units and 77 parks. Around 11 per cent of the area is allocated to green and open spaces, with 12 kilometres of interconnected walking and cycling paths and provision for schools, mosques, early childhood centres, health clinics and commercial hubs.

In Al Yalayis, the model introduces a green corridor linking residential clusters and offering recreational, commercial and service facilities. The area spans 1,108 hectares, accommodating 66,000 people, 8,000 residential unit plots and 75 parks.

Dubai’s digital future

The Executive Council also approved the Digital Resilience Policy, which establishes a comprehensive framework to strengthen Dubai’s digital governance, safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted digital services. The policy supports the Dubai Resilience Strategy and complements the Digital Transformation Strategy.

It reinforces preparedness, response, recovery and transformation capabilities; enhances protection of vital digital assets such as cloud platforms, networks and data centres; and introduces governance frameworks, communication mechanisms and key performance indicators to measure resilience progress.

The policy highlights the importance of coordinated action between public and private sectors to enable rapid incident response and maintain trust in the emirate’s digital ecosystem.

The Executive Council reviewed achievements under the 2025 agenda and approved the plan for 2026, which focuses on implementing Dubai Plan 2033 targets across economic and social domains. The plan covers social development, infrastructure, economy and investment, entrepreneurship, security, justice and safety, and public services.