Dubai has launched an unprecedented wave of infrastructure projects worth tens of billions of dollars, reinforcing its ambition to become a global leader in urban mobility, sustainability, and economic growth.

The emirate’s bold plans, spanning massive road and metro expansions, futuristic pedestrian walkways, advanced drainage systems, and the world’s largest airport, reflect its commitment to future-proofing the city against rapid population growth and evolving economic demands.

These projects include the $34.8-billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport; a $5.6-billion expansion of Dubai Metro; the $4.36-billion Main Roads Development Plan (2024-2027) and a $1-billion five-year internal road development plan (2025-2029; the 6,500-km Dubai Walk network, which is estimated to cost millions of dollars; the $8.1-billion revamp of the drainage network; in addition to a major project to create the emirate’s longest public beach.

Apart from these developments, in line with the key objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the emirate last month unveiled plans to develop ‘Therme Dubai’, a first-of-its-kind wellbeing resort and interactive park in the region. The tallest facility of its kind in the world, the $544 million development underscores the emirate’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and overall wellbeing of its residents and visitors (see Pages 16-17).

The RailBus, a sustainable surface-level transit solution.

Dubai is aggressively pursuing a multi-pronged approach to revolutionise its urban mobility landscape with two cutting-edge transit systems that were unveiled last month: the RailBus and the Dubai Loop.

The RailBus system, powered by solar energy and featuring autonomous driving capabilities, aims to provide a sustainable and efficient surface-level transit solution. It emphasises eco-friendly materials, reduced operational costs, and enhanced first/last-mile connectivity. This system will improve urban travel by offering a comfortable, accessible, and environmentally responsible option for residents and visitors (see UAE Focus, Page 57).

Simultaneously, the Dubai Loop, being developed in partnership with Elon Musk's The Boring Company, focuses on high-speed, underground transportation. This electric-powered system promises to dramatically reduce travel times between key destinations, and has a capacity to transport over 20,000 passengers per hour at speeds of up to 160 km/h (see UAE Focus, Page 57).

Dubai Loop, a high-speed, underground transportation option.

Together, these initiatives represent a comprehensive strategy to address Dubai's evolving transportation needs. The RailBus prioritises sustainable and accessible surface transit, while the Loop focuses on rapid, high-capacity underground travel. Both systems are designed to reduce reliance on private vehicles, alleviate traffic congestion, and enhance overall connectivity, ultimately transforming Dubai's urban landscape into a model of futuristic and efficient mobility.

In terms of air mobility, Dubai aims to become the first city in the world to offer air taxis, with the service scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026. Initial routes will connect key locations, including Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The emirate’s transport authority, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), is working with eVTOL aircraft maker Joby and vertiport provider Skyports Infrastructure to further these plans.

These transformative initiatives, spanning the next two decades, aim to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and solidify Dubai’s status as a world-class destination for residents, businesses, and tourists alike.

To push ahead with its ambitions, the emirate is leveraging public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund key projects, with $10.9 billion in PPP projects approved for the 2024-2026 period alone. These projects span 10 fundamental economic sectors, aligning with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global economic powerhouse.

Airport

In a game-changing move for global aviation, Dubai has launched the $34.8-billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, set to replace Dubai International Airport as the emirate’s primary aviation hub. Almost five times the size of Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International will comprise five parallel runways, west and east processing terminals. The expanded airport will feature four satellite concourses with 400 aircraft stands, a high-speed automated passenger transport system, and an integrated landside transport hub for roads, metro, and city air transport.

On completion, it will have the capacity to handle 260 million passengers annually, making it the world’s largest airport and a key driver of Dubai’s aviation, logistics, and real estate sectors. A new airport city in Dubai South is also being built to accommodate one million residents, in a bid to attract top global logistics firms.

Metro

In a major push for public transport, Dubai plans to more than double its metro network, expanding from 64 to 140 stations and increasing metro coverage from 84 sq km to 228 sq km by 2040. The initiative aims to improve first- and last-mile connectivity while boosting metro ridership and reducing carbon emissions to 16 tonnes per capita.

The project also aims to develop areas around metro stations, to enhance economic opportunities, interconnect public transport modes, and improve sustainable transport efficiency.

In line with these expansion plans, the emirate is forging ahead with the 30-km Dubai Metro Blue Line project. The $5.6 billion project awarded to a Turkish-Chinese consortium – comprising Mapa, Limak and CRRC – last December, will include 15.5 km underground and 14.5 km elevated track, and feature 14 new stations. Key stations include the signature Dubai Creek Harbour Station and the largest interchange station, International City (1), covering 44,000 sq m. 

Construction is slated to begin next month (April), with all works expected to be completed and operations officially commencing in September 2029.  

With a capacity of 46,000 passengers per hour in both directions and a train frequency of two minutes, the Blue Line is expected to serve nearly 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, rising to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040.

Roads 

Dubai’s Main Roads Development Plan (2024-2027) will add 22 new road projects, benefiting over six million residents and reducing congestion across the emirate.  Additionally, the emirate has approved a five-year internal road development plan (2025-2029), covering 634 km of roads across 12 residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Internal road projects will enhance connectivity in urban areas like Nad El Sheba 3, Al Amardi, Hatta, Nadd Hessa, and Al Awir 1, supporting ongoing housing developments.

The Al Qudra Street Development Project ... work on the project was launched last month.

Under its Main Roads Development Plan, the RTA last month awarded contracts worth $408.39 million and $217.2 million respectively for the Al Fay Street Development Project and the Al Qudra Street Development Project.  Upon completion, the Al Fay Street Development Project will enhance the street’s capacity to accommodate 64,400 vehicles per hour and serve residential and developmental areas, benefiting an estimated population and visitor base of 600,000 individuals, RTA said. The Al Qudra Street Development Project encompasses the development of several interchanges, the construction of bridges totalling 2,700 m, and the expansion of the existing street by 11.6 km.

Among its ongoing projects, the RTA has made significant progress on the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, where it recently marked a major milestone with the opening of the second of four bridges in Phase Four of the project. Phase Four encompasses the construction of four bridges with a total length of 3.1 km and a combined capacity of about 19,400 vehicles per hour across all lanes, RTA said.

One of the largest infrastructure initiatives being currently undertaken by the RTA, Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project spans 13 km, encompassing Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street. The project includes the development of 15 intersections and serves both Deira and Bur Dubai, in addition to prominent developments such as Dubai Islands, Deira Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid.

Walkway 

In a move to encourage walking and sustainable transport, the emirate has unveiled the Dubai Walk Masterplan, a 6,500-km interconnected pedestrian network designed to increase walking and soft mobility from 13 per cent to 25 per cent by 2040. The project, which will see 3,300 km of new walkways constructed and 2,300 km of existing ones upgraded, aims to integrate seamlessly with public transport, landmarks, and residential areas. A further 900 km of walkways are planned beyond 2040.

Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum views a model of the proposed Dubai Walk, a 6,500-km interconnected pedestrian network.

With full implementation in three phases from 2027 to 2040, the network will feature 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses, linking major districts such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Special routes include The Future Loop, an air-conditioned, elevated 2-km walkway near the Museum of the Future, and the Al Ras Historical Route, a 15-km cultural corridor with 25 revitalised waterfront squares.

Coastal Development

Dubai has also approved a masterplan for Jebel Ali Beach, which will be the emirate’s longest public beach extending across 6.6 km. The 330-hectare project, being developed by Nakheel and Dubai Municipality, will feature a 2-km swimmable beach, a 2.5-km diving sports area, nature-focused mangrove conservation and extensive recreational facilities.

Jebel Ali Beach to span 6.6 km, making it the emirate’s longest public beach.

The beach development will provide parking for 1,000 vehicles, 80 bicycle racks, a cycling track, and a 5-km running track.

Inspired by natural marine geometry, the architectural designs will reflect the surrounding coral and turtle shell formations, blending aesthetics with sustainability.

The project’s buildings and facilities will feature a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality tailored for various beach activities.

Drainage Infrastructure

To address climate challenges and bolster its rain/stormwater drainage network, Dubai has launched the $8.1-billion Tasreef project, which will cover the entire emirate and increase drainage capacity by 700 per cent. The system, capable of handling 20 million cu m of water daily, is expected to be the largest rainwater collection project in the region and be completed by 2033.

The initiative, spearheaded by Dubai Municipality, aims to create a drainage infrastructure that is advanced, safe, flexible, and ready to face future challenges. It will use advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs) - the largest of their kind in the Middle East - ensuring a 20 per cent reduction in operational costs and an increased lifespan for drainage systems.

Vision for the Future

Dubai’s infrastructure expansion underscores its long-term vision for economic and urban transformation. With trillions of dirhams being invested in connectivity, sustainability, and mobility, the emirate is positioning itself as a global leader in smart city development, transportation innovation and quality of life enhancement.

From seamless metro expansions and smart walkways to eco-conscious coastal projects and next-generation aviation hubs, Dubai’s masterplan is setting new benchmarks for urban excellence and future-readiness.