List of development projects in Dubai


The government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and to make Dubai the main hub of tourists in the world, has made and other developmental projects such as Dubailand, more valuable, resulting in the property boom from 2004 to 2007. There are over 1,500 major freehold developments and communities in Dubai. Construction on a large scale is a part of Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 unveiled by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, to maintain economic growth and to put Dubai on the map of the world, and a tourist destination of the world. Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. There are a number of large-scale projects which are currently under construction or will be constructed in the future. Due to the heavy construction which is taking place in Dubai, 30,000 construction cranes, which is 25% of cranes worldwide, were operating in Dubai in 2012. Currently multibillion-dollar construction projects are taking shape in Dubai.

Global financial crisis of 2008–2009

However, due to the Global financial crisis of 2008–2009, several mega projects had been put on hold, including Palm Islands, Dubailand, the Arabian canal, Dubai Exhibition City, The Lagoons, Jumeirah Garden City. Apart from this many supertall skyscrapers have also been put on hold that includes Pentominium, Burj Al Alam, Marina 106, and Dubai Towers Dubai. Construction on Palm Jebel Ali and The World Islands were expected to be resumed in 2010, however recommencement has been further delayed. Construction on other halted projects was thought likely to be resumed in 2011.

Recovery from global financial crisis

A report published by Forbes on October 22, 2012, says Dubai has recovered faster from the financial crisis than most other countries and now its economy is growing in a higher rate than its counterparts because of its zero tax policy and economic free zones. The estimated GDP growth rate of Dubai in 2012 was 4.5%. The growth was mainly driven by the tourism, commerce and industrial manufacturing sectors.
According to the UAE's Ministry of Finance, Dubai's government has allocated 32.3 billion dirhams for infrastructure projects in 2012, marking a return to big spending on such projects as some of these projects had been stalled due to lack of funding.
In November 2012, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced fifteen new projects worth more than $187 million. These projects are a part of the municipality's 2013 to 2015 strategic plan of Dubai.

Mixed use developments

ProjectDeveloperExpected completionCostsAreaDescription
1Dubai MarinaEmaarCompleteWorld's largest man-made marina, with 200 residential and hotel high rises
2Nakheel PropertiesCompleteComprises 79 high-rises, mostly residential skyscrapers
3Business BayDubai Properties GroupCompleteAED 110 billion 80 million sq. ft.Comprises 240 high- and low-rise buildings, mostly residential and mixed-use skyscrapers.
4Jumeirah Garden CityMeraasOn holdAED 350 billion
5Culture VillageDubai Propertiesmid-2016
6Jumeirah VillageNakheel Properties2013AED 2.4 million
7Jebel Ali villageNakheel Properties2013The city is expected to accommodate around 500,000 people.
8Al Maktoum International AirportDubai HoldingFully operational in 2025US $80 billionUpon completion it will be the largest airport in the world.
9Dubai Creek HarbourEmaarlate 2020
10Dubai The Sustainable CityDiamond DevelopersComplete46 hectareThe first net zero energy city in Dubai
11Dubai Investment ParkIncomplete2,300 hectaresIncludes the Lagoons, under development by Schön Properties since 2005; Schön's assets were seized by the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency in August 2018 over the company's failure to complete the development.

Other projects

ProjectDeveloperExpected completionCostsAreaDescription
1DubailandDubai HoldingPartially under construction, 2020US$64.3 billionDubailand will be the world's largest retail and entertainment world, twice the size of Walt Disney World Resort. It includes 45 mega projects and 200 sub-projects. Currently, there are 22 projects under construction; 6 are complete.
2Arabian CanalLimitlessHalted temporarilyUS$50 billion75 km longThis will be the world's largest man-made canal. Construction work on Phase 1 of Arabian Canal is currently in progress, but construction on much of the Arabian Canal is currently halted.
3Jumeirah Garden CityMeraasHaltedUS$95 billion9,000,000-square-metreJumeirah Garden City will be built across an area north of Sheikh Zayed Road between Diyafa Street and Safa Park.
4Dubai International CityNakheel PropertiesCompleteUS$95 billionDubai International city is a country-themed architecture of residences, businesses, and tourist attractions.
5Dubai Exhibition CityOn holdAED 8 billion280,000 m2Dubai Exhibition City upon completion will home to the world's longest single column-free exhibition hall.
6Dubai Meydan CityPartially completeAED 8 billion3,700,000 m2The development includes Meydan Racecourse hotels, sky-bubble restaurant, entertainment, clubs, a concourse plaza, towers and a boat-house.
7Mohammed bin Rashid CityPartially completeAED 8 billion800 million sq ftThe development includes Meydan Racecourse hotels, sky-bubble restaurant, entertainment, clubs, a concourse plaza, towers and a boat-house.
8Al Sufouh TramwayDubai Roads and Transport Authority November 2014AED 3.18 billion longAl Sufouh Tramway is a tramway being built in Al Sufouh, Dubai. It will run along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates.
9Dubai FrameCompleteAED 160 Million150-metre-high, 93-metre-wideDubai Frame is a tourist attraction built near the Star Gate of Zabeel Park.
10Arabian RanchesEmaar PropertiesCompleteArabian Ranches is a premium gated community located on Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Road and in proximity to Dubai's Global Village. It includes the Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Dubai Equestrian & Polo Club.

Artificial reclaimed islands developments

ProjectDeveloperExpected completionCostsAreaDescription
1Palm JumeirahNakheel PropertiesComplete$12.3 billionIt is the world's largest man-made island.
2Palm Jebel AliNakheel PropertiesTemporarily on holdIt will accommodate over 250,000 people by 2020. Construction will be resumed in the coming months.
3Deira IslandsNakheel Propertiesscaled down, 2020 by Will be the largest palm island in Dubai.
4The UniverseNakheel PropertiesOn hold
5The World IslandsNakheel Propertiescomplete, but most islands are still unoccupied$14 billion and width
6Dubai WaterfrontNakheel PropertiesOn holdThe Dubai Waterfront is expected to become the largest waterfront and largest man-made development in the world.
7Skydive DubaiNakheel Properties2012
8Dubai Maritime CityDubai HoldingCompleteAED 3 billionIt will be the world's first purpose-built maritime centre.
9Jumeirah Garden CityMeraas2013AED 350 billionSome portion of this development is being reclaimed off the coast near Jumeirah.
10Bluewaters IslandMeraas2018AED 6 billionAnnounced on February 13, 2013. Dubai Eye giant Ferris wheel will be built on this island. Construction is almost finished.
11Dubai HarbourMeraas2020AED 8 billionAnnounced on January 2, 2017. Palm Jumeirah Logo Island Construction Dubai Harbour and Emaar Beachfront by Emaar.
12The Island by WaslWasl Asset Management Group2021AED 10 billionAnnounced in March 2017. Porto Dubai cancelled construction Jumeirah Beach MGM Resort, Bellagio Hotel 1,000 rooms and 500,000 square.

Bridges

ProjectDeveloperExpected completionCostsLengthDescription
1Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed CrossingDubai Roads and Transport Authority 20152.5 billion dirhamsIt will be the world's longest arch bridge.
2Dubai smileDubai Roads and Transport Authority Completed in 2012810 million dirhams300 meters

; Notes