Dubai approves plan to develop 48 urban centres, targeting Dh20 billion value gain

Dubai's Executive Council has approved the Urban Centres Development Plan for 48 urban centres. The plan is projected to add Dh20 billion ($5.45 billion) to property values in the targeted districts by 2040. The council met on Tuesday 27 October 2026 under Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai's Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The National reported the decision.

The budget exceeds Dh2 billion. The scheme includes six main centres and 42 supporting sub-centres. Together they account for 12 per cent of the urban area of Dubai.

The plan sets two targets. The share of residents living close to metro stations is to rise to 74 per cent, up from 52 per cent today. Public services coverage is to reach 85 per cent, compared with 74 per cent now.

Three pillars underpin the plan: quality of life, economic returns, and the efficiency and cost of infrastructure. To deliver them, it gathers residents and jobs around mass transit stations, mixes land uses and places homes nearer to workplaces.

"This plan is an investment in Dubai's future and the sustainability of its growth," Sheikh Hamdan said.

The council approved two other measures at the same meeting. The Sustainable Population Planning Policy ties population forecasts to economic and urban planning. It also backs the creation of jobs in sectors with high productivity, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

The Digital Authorisation System, built and run by Digital Dubai, lets customers authorise another person to handle low-risk government transactions online, with no notarial or legal attestation. Identity is verified through UAE PASS.

For buyers and tenants, the plan shows where the emirate intends to focus development: districts around mass transit stations and the designated centres. The Dh20 billion figure is a projection for the targeted areas. Current listings are in the Dubai rental catalog.