Image: Dubai Media Office
Dubai Municipality has completed landscaping and afforestation projects worth Dhs190m ($51.7m) across major road intersections in the emirate during the first half of 2025, reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainability and its long-term urban development plans.
The large-scale works span more than 3 million square metres and include the planting of over 300,000 trees and seedlings, alongside 222,500 square metres of ground cover and flowers.
The projects are part of the Green Dubai initiative and align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aimed at enhancing public spaces and quality of life for residents and visitors.
Smart irrigation systems powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology have been integrated into the landscaping to optimise water use and operational efficiency. These include underground pump systems connected to remote-control networks, enabling real-time monitoring to ensure sustainable irrigation practices.
“Our aim is to reinforce Dubai’s distinctive urban and aesthetic identity and solidify its position as a leading sustainable global city,” said Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, DG of Dubai Municipality. “We seek to offer a vibrant and healthy living environment that upholds the highest standards of quality of life while maintaining harmony between the urban, architectural, and environmental landscape.”
Landscaping projects at key intersections
The landscaping focused on strategic locations such as the intersections of Al Khail Road with Latifa bint Hamdan Street, Sheikh Zayed Road’s 7th Interchange from Abu Dhabi, and Al Khawaneej Street at Al Amardi intersection. Key enhancements included decorative fencing and vertical lighting installations inspired by traditional Arab design.
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the projects prioritised native and ornamental plant species suited to the local climate, many of which were cultivated in municipal nurseries.
Trees such as sidr, ghaf, neem, and bougainvillaea were among those planted.
As of Q1 2025, the authority oversees more than 5.5 million trees and seedlings, 8.7 million square metres of green areas, and 2 million square metres of seasonal flowers.
In 2024 alone, 216,500 trees were planted, averaging 600 new trees daily.
The city’s total green space reached 391.5 hectares in 2024, up from 234 hectares in 2023.
