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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved the master plan for the Umm Suqeim Beach development project, marking a significant milestone in the emirate’s coastal transformation strategy. The Dubai Crown Prince, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, endorsed the comprehensive development plan valued at 500 million dirhams. This project represents one of the most prominent strategic initiatives implemented by Dubai Municipality as part of its broader plan to develop public beaches across the emirate.
The Umm Suqeim Beach development aims to establish the first globally iconic beach accessible to all, featuring a distinctive Emirati identity. According to the announcement, the master plan was developed following extensive social, environmental, and traffic studies, with wide community participation to ensure sustainable use and quality planning while balancing tourism activities with environmental preservation.
Comprehensive Vision for Beach Development
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed emphasized that the project enhances Dubai’s position as a leading tourist destination and translates the vision of creating civilized spaces with an Emirati spirit and world-class standards. He stated that the development redefines the relationship between people and place through sustainable environments and integrated experiences that open new economic and developmental horizons. The Crown Prince highlighted that Dubai has consistently proven its ability to combine global innovation trends while preserving the spirit of place.
The project aligns with Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which focuses on providing integrated public spaces that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance experiences for residents and visitors. Additionally, the development supports the objectives of Dubai Urban Plan 2040, aimed at developing waterfronts, improving coastal land use efficiency, and providing sustainable urban infrastructure to meet the emirate’s future growth needs.
Extensive Infrastructure and Capacity Enhancement
The beach undergoing comprehensive development extends 3.1 kilometers with a total area reaching 445,000 square meters. According to Dubai Municipality, the project includes a 30 percent increase in beach area and developable spaces, enhancing the site’s capacity and elevating visitor experience. The development is designed to accommodate up to 6 million visitors annually, representing a significant boost to the emirate’s tourism infrastructure.
Infrastructure improvements include a 200 percent increase in parking capacity, bringing the total to approximately 2,400 parking spaces. The project also encompasses rehabilitation of roads and access points from Jumeirah Street, with traffic movement separated from surrounding residential areas to maintain privacy for neighboring communities. Meanwhile, the development features six main gates with architectural designs reflecting the beach’s spatial identity, ten mobility centers, and eleven dedicated taxi stands.
Sustainable Features in Umm Suqeim Beach Project
Engineer Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, explained that the project embodies the municipality’s commitment to executing leadership directives in developing sustainable tourism infrastructure. He emphasized that the development provides an integrated beach experience throughout the day, combining entertainment, sports, and culture while adhering to the highest safety standards and accessibility requirements for people of determination and elderly visitors.
The master plan designates 130,000 square meters of illuminated beach space to enable marine activities and night swimming. Furthermore, the project pays special attention to sustainability and climate change adaptation through engineering solutions addressing sea level rise, including construction of a two-kilometer retaining wall and raising beach levels. The development incorporates a smart facility management system based on artificial intelligence technologies.
Architectural Landmarks and Public-Private Partnership
Among the project’s distinctive features is an observation tower reaching 38 meters in height, inspired by the emirate’s maritime heritage. The tower will serve as a prominent visual landmark enhancing the site’s aesthetic identity. In contrast to traditional beach developments, this project integrates comprehensive facilities for bicycles and electric scooters, promoting sustainable mobility options.
Dubai Municipality is strengthening its approach to involving investors and private sector partners in development works through this project. This strategy contributes to enhancing public-private partnerships and supporting the tourism economy in the emirate. The initiative represents one of Dubai Municipality’s most prominent projects reflecting its vision to transform the emirate’s beaches into global urban and tourism icons.
The approval ceremony was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and President of Emirates Group, along with several senior officials including Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Higher Committee for Urban Planning in Dubai. Authorities have not announced a specific timeline for project completion, though implementation is expected to proceed as part of the comprehensive public beach development plan.
