Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed announces the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033: 200 people-oriented initiatives

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has officially announced the new Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033. Launched under the directives of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it consists of over 200 projects that include comprehensive urban development to foster a highly sustainable and people-focused Dubai.

In an X (formerly known as Twitter) post, Sheikh Hamdan wrote that, as part of the agenda, over 1,000 annual events — including sports, culture, the arts, and entertainment — are set to take place. He also detailed the project’s overall vision in a formal press release, stating, “Our goal is to position Dubai as one of the world’s leading cities for well-being, ensuring that every resident enjoys a healthy, active, and fulfilling lifestyle, fostering a society that takes pride in its cultural diversity and identity, and providing top-quality leisure and entertainment. Dubai will be synonymous with exceptional living standards globally.”

Under @HHShkMohd’s directives, we have launched the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 that aims to turn Dubai into to the world’s best city to live in. Encompassing 200 projects and initiatives, the visionary strategy seeks to ensure that all residents can access essential… pic.twitter.com/PJCyntJBm6

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 14, 2024

Alignment with the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan

The Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 is in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which is a long-term strategic plan that guides the emirate’s efforts to build sustainable urban development. Notably, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner-General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Well-Being Pillar, stated that the new project is fundamentally people-oriented. He also remarked that the strategy “provides a superior infrastructure by doubling green and recreational spaces, increasing public beaches, and providing sustainable and flexible transportation options that improve people’s mobility among other services that enhance Dubai’s profile as the most beautiful city to live in worldwide.”

It’s also worth highlighting that many of the project’s key targets complement the Urban Master Plan. These include:

• providing fully accessible public facilities and community centres for people of determination and senior citizens;
• creating new beach areas exclusively for women;
• increasing public service provision by 300% within a year; and
• extending the length of nighttime swimming beaches by 60%.

Moreover, the new project is set in three major phases and covers 10 key pillars essential to the improvement of well-being in the emirate. These pillars are: (1) culture and entertainment; (2) the natural environment; (3) the economic environment; (4) the urban environment; (5) mobility; (6) society and family; (7) employment and work conditions; (8) education; (9) safety and security; (10) and health.

The 20-minute city, Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park, and more

A major focus of the strategy is implementing the ‘20-minute city’, which will enhance the connectivity between community hubs and essential services within a 20-minute journey. This involves developing 115-kilometre eco-friendly pedestrian and cycling tracks and establishing more than 20 investment opportunities in the Al Khawaneej 2 and Al Barsha 2 areas. 

Concurrently, the plan seeks to:

• increase public transportation routes, reduce traffic congestion, and lower emissions by implementing eco-friendly, self-driving technology;
• raise tourism by enhancing areas like Hatta, Al Awir, Al Faqa’, Al Lisaili, Al Marmoom, Lehbab, Margham, and Nizwa;
• upgrade Dubai’s beachfront areas like Jebel Ali Beach, Jebel Ali Caravans Camp Beach, Umm Suqeim Beach, Al Mamzar Beach, and Jumeirah Beach; and
• boost renewable energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions by further developing the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park.

A new office will oversee all projects under the strategy, in collaboration with 19 government agencies and numerous private organisations.

Dubai: World’s happiest and most innovative city

The Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 is a comprehensive blueprint designed to build an environment-friendly, innovation-driven, and human-focused emirate. This, in turn, creates a ripple effect that enables the acceleration of global investment projects, then influencing Dubai’s key economic sectors and, thus, creating long-term benefits for start-ups to thrive and established businesses to expand. Without a doubt, the strategy’s implementation will make Dubai the world’s happiest and most innovative city.