Creative Emiratis to revamp green spaces as part of Dubai's Urban Master Plan

Thirty architects, interior designers and event planners have been chosen to lead the scheme

Young Emiratis will be the driving force behind a bid to revitalise 10 parks in Dubai.

Thirty creative Emiratis have been enlisted to shape an ambitious vision to revamp green spaces across Dubai.

The team of architects, interior designers and event planners – most of them young professionals who have recently graduated – will drive the redevelopment project involving 10 parks in the emirate.

The community scheme is being led by Dubai Municipality in partnership with Brand Dubai, the creative arm of Dubai Media Office.

The bright citizens were selected to front the initiative after an evaluation of more than 100 submissions from the public for designs of public parks and concepts for community events.

Organisers called for designs which could integrate environmentally friendly materials and innovative modern building methods to revitalise parks and attract more visitors.

The project is part of Dubai's effort to transform itself into the world's best city.

It falls in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan unveiled in March by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed said the wide-ranging project would provide a blueprint for a truly interconnected, people-led city that would balance community with tourism and modernity with heritage and nature.

“The initiative, which supports the vision of making Dubai the world’s best place to live in, stems from the strong priority we place on developing green spaces in the emirate,” said Asem Abdulrazzaq Al Qassim, acting director of executive planning at Dubai Municipality.

“Public green spaces are critical to enhancing the well-being, sustainability and livability of cities and bring diverse other social and environmental benefits.

“We are sure that the participants selected from the community to contribute to the project will help bring new dimensions of creativity and excellence to the project, which will see multidisciplinary teams working on transforming the parks.”

The residential parks pinpointed for improvement work are located in Al Mizhar 1, Muhaisnah 3, Al Barsha 2, Al Quoz 1, Al Warqa 2, Nad Al Sheba 4, Al Twar 3, Oud Al Muteena 2, Al Warqa 4 and Umm Suqeim 2.

The new designs will cover urban seating, children’s playgrounds, jogging tracks, landscaping and new concepts for community events.

“The Emirati professionals chosen to participate in the redesign project reflect Dubai’s dynamic young creative talent pool, which is bursting with ideas and energy,” said Shaima Al Suwaidi, city branding manager for Brand Dubai.

“Supporting their participation in the project is part of our efforts to advance the Dubai leadership’s goal of investing in their development and growth and involving the community in urban redevelopment projects. The participants will have the opportunity to contribute to generating breakthrough concepts that can enrich these parks while also meeting the unique needs of the local community.”