Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved the master plan for the development of Umm Suqeim Beach.
The project will transform the beach into a destination while projecting an Emirati identity. Dubai Municipality is implementing the initiative as part of a plan to develop beaches across the emirate to enhance Dubai’s appeal as a tourism destination.
“Today, we approved the AED500 million Umm Suqeim Beach master plan. The project is part of our ongoing drive to enhance Dubai’s beaches with world-class design elements that reflect the city’s spirit of innovation and creativity and its leadership in leveraging the highest urban planning standards and advanced technology to deliver distinctive, sustainable leisure and tourism facilities. Dubai is a jewel among cities and a pearl among beach destinations, and the quality of life of its residents and visitors remains our top priority,” Sheikh Hamdan said in a statement.
Sheikh Hamdan approves master plan for Dubai’s Umm Suqeim Beach transformation
The Crown Prince said the development of Dubai’s infrastructure, including spaces and waterfronts, is part of a vision to create an environment that meets community expectations and reinforces Dubai’s position as the city to live, work, and visit.
The project extends over 3.1 kilometres, spanning 445,000 square metres in total, with a 30 per cent increase in beach area and spaces. Smart lighting systems will illuminate 130,000 square metres of the beachfront to support activities and swimming at night.
The master plan is based on social, environmental, and traffic studies, alongside community engagement, to ensure use, planning, and a balance between integrating tourism activities and preserving the environment and the privacy of residential areas.
The master plan was approved in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State For Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai; and His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning in Dubai.
“Umm Suqeim Beach development project embodies Dubai Municipality’s commitment to implementing the directives of our leadership by delivering state-of-the-art tourism infrastructure while offering high-quality, integrated experiences centered on quality of life, sustainability, and community wellbeing. In developing Umm Suqeim Beach, we focus on creating an all-day beach destination that combines leisure, sports, and culture while adhering to the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and inclusivity for people of determination and senior citizens. We seek to make the beach a welcoming space for all segments of society,” Ahmed bin Ghalita added.
Umm Suqeim Beach to welcome 6 million visitors annually after AED500 million upgrade
The redeveloped beach will accommodate up to 6 million visitors annually, with upgrades to infrastructure and services and a 200 per cent increase in parking capacity to 2,400 spaces.
This is complemented by the revamping of roads and access points from Jumeirah Street as well as the separation of traffic flows from residential areas.
The project includes the construction of six gateways with designs reflecting the beach’s identity, 10 mobility hubs, and 11 taxi pickup and drop-off points, in addition to facilities for bicycles and electric scooters. It features a 38-metre observation tower, inspired by the emirate’s maritime heritage, serving as a landmark that enhances the beach’s identity.
The project places emphasis on sustainability and climate change adaptation through the implementation of solutions to address rising sea levels. This involves the construction of a two-kilometre retaining wall and the elevation of beach levels, alongside the adoption of an AI-powered facilities management system to increase efficiency.
The development project aligns with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which focuses on delivering spaces that promote a lifestyle, elevate the experiences of residents and visitors, and support community wellbeing. It also supports the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to develop waterfronts, optimise the use of land, and build infrastructure that caters to the emirate’s growth needs.
Through the project, Dubai Municipality is stepping up efforts to engage investors and partners in development works, strengthening partnerships and boosting the emirate’s tourism economy. The master plan reflects the organisation’s vision to transform the emirate’s beaches into landmarks.
