Dubai's Executive Council has approved the Urban Centres Development Plan, a programme with a budget of more than AED 2 billion by 2040 to develop 48 urban centres across the emirate. The government expects it to add AED 20 billion to property values in the targeted centres. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, chaired the meeting at Emirates Towers on 27 October 2026.
The plan is built around putting more homes and jobs close to Metro and other mass-transit stations, which makes it one of the more important long-term signals for where Dubai property values are heading.
Credit: Dubai Media Office
Urban Centres Development Plan: Key Facts
| Approved | 27 October 2026, Executive Council of Dubai |
|---|---|
| Budget | More than AED 2 billion by 2040 |
| Scope | 6 main urban centres and 42 supporting sub-centres, covering 12% of Dubai's urban area |
| Property value target | AED 20 billion increase in the targeted centres by 2040 |
| Residents near Metro stations | From 52% to 74% |
| Public services coverage | From 74% to 85% |
| Pillars | Quality of life, economic returns, and infrastructure efficiency and cost |
| Oversight | Supreme Committee for Urban Planning and Dubai Municipality, with other government entities |
What the Plan Does
Homes and jobs around transit. The plan concentrates population and jobs around mass-transit stations, mixes land uses and brings homes closer to workplaces. The headline target is to raise the share of residents living around Metro stations from 52% to 74%.
Better access to services. Public services coverage is set to rise from 74% to 85%, with stronger links between urban centres.
A value target in dirhams. The government has put a number on the outcome: AED 20 billion of added real estate value in the targeted centres by 2040.
"The Urban Centres Development Plan, with a budget exceeding AED2 billion by 2040, will contribute to an increase in the real estate value of the targeted centres by AED20 billion, making them more vibrant places to live, work and invest," said Sheikh Hamdan.
The government has not yet named the six main centres or the 42 sub-centres. We will update this article when the list is published.
Two Other Decisions at the Same Meeting
Sustainable Population Planning Policy. A framework that links population forecasts with economic and urban plans, to guide where services and infrastructure are built and make better use of what already exists.
Digital Authorisation System. Run by Digital Dubai, it lets individuals and companies authorise someone else to complete low-risk government transactions digitally through UAE PASS, without notarial or legal attestation.
Credit: Dubai Media Office
What It Means for Buyers and Investors
Transit access is policy, not just a selling point. Developers have long marketed "near the Metro". Dubai is now planning growth around it, with public money behind it, so homes within walking distance of stations should benefit most as the centres are built out.
Watch for the list of centres. Until the six main centres and 42 sub-centres are named, treat any broker claim that a specific community is "in the plan" with caution, and ask for the official source.
A long horizon. The budget and the value target run to 2040. This supports long-term holders more than quick flips.
Talk to Luxwell Real Estate
Want to buy close to a Metro station, or understand which areas stand to gain from Dubai's new plans? Luxwell Real Estate is a boutique luxury brokerage in Business Bay. We can shortlist ready and off-plan options, share recent sales data and help you ask the right questions before you commit.
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- Contact form: Contact Luxwell
Sources: Dubai Media Office (27 October 2026); WAM; Gulf News and The National (27 October 2026).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dubai's Urban Centres Development Plan?
- It is a government plan, approved by the Executive Council on 27 October 2026, to develop 6 main urban centres and 42 sub-centres around mass transit, with a budget of more than AED 2 billion by 2040.
How will it affect property values?
- The government expects it to add AED 20 billion to real estate values in the targeted centres by 2040.
Which areas are included?
- The plan covers 12% of Dubai's urban area, but the six main centres and 42 sub-centres have not been named publicly yet.
What are the Metro targets?
- The plan aims to raise the share of residents living around Metro stations from 52% to 74%, and public services coverage from 74% to 85%.
What else did the Executive Council approve?
- The Sustainable Population Planning Policy, which links population forecasts to economic and urban plans, and the Digital Authorisation System, which lets people authorise others to complete low-risk government transactions digitally through UAE PASS.
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