What To Know
- By focusing on accessibility, safety and sustainable transport, the city is positioning itself as a global leader in future-ready infrastructure.
- Dubai is moving closer to becoming a 20-minute city, a bold urban transformation designed to make everyday life faster, safer and more convenient.
- First introduced in 2023 by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the 20-Minute City plan has now received official approval under the Dubai 10X Initiative.
Dubai is moving closer to becoming a 20-minute city, a bold urban transformation designed to make everyday life faster, safer and more convenient. First introduced in 2023 by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the 20-Minute City plan has now received official approval under the Dubai 10X Initiative.
The goal is clear: position Dubai 10 years ahead of leading global cities by redesigning how residents access essential services. The 20-minute model focuses on walkability, sustainability and smarter mobility systems that reduce dependence on private cars.
Here are the three major changes shaping Dubai’s future.
Easier Access to Essential Services
The core concept of the 20-Minute City is simple but powerful. Residents should be able to access 80 percent of their daily needs within 20 minutes using walking, cycling or sustainable public transport.
This includes schools, healthcare facilities, supermarkets, parks and community services. By placing essential amenities closer to residential areas, Dubai aims to reduce long commutes and cut traffic congestion.
The shift will allow residents to complete errands on foot or by bike while improving overall convenience. This move is also expected to support environmental goals by lowering carbon emissions and reducing reliance on cars.
Improved Road Safety and Smart Mobility
Another major focus of Dubai’s 20-Minute City strategy is road safety and advanced mobility systems. The RTA’s Strategic Plan 2024–2030 outlines a future built on integrated transport networks, smart traffic management and real-time mobility systems.
The plan includes expanded use of soft mobility solutions, connected transport infrastructure and self-driving technologies. These upgrades aim to make moving around Dubai quicker and safer for residents.
By combining technology with redesigned urban spaces, the emirate is working to create smoother traffic flow and safer pedestrian environments across key districts.
New Mobility Corridors and Walkable Networks
The 20-Minute City plan also introduces shaded green zones and flexible mobility corridors that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.
One of the first areas seeing implementation is Al Barsha 2. The broader Dubai Walk Master Plan supports this transformation with an ambitious 6,500km interconnected walking network.
The project includes 3,300km of new pathways and upgrades to 2,300km of existing routes, with full completion targeted by 2040. In addition, 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses will be developed to improve connectivity across busy roads.
These networks will link major landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina and DIFC, allowing residents and visitors to move between iconic destinations more easily through pedestrian-friendly routes.
Earlier plans also revealed that by 2040, half of Dubai’s population will live within 800 metres of a public transport facility. The strategy further includes significant expansion of hotel, tourism and commercial spaces to support economic growth.
Dubai’s Urban Future
Dubai’s 20-Minute City initiative represents a major shift in urban planning. By focusing on accessibility, safety and sustainable transport, the city is positioning itself as a global leader in future-ready infrastructure.
As implementation continues, residents can expect shorter journeys, smarter transport systems and a more connected urban environment. The transformation signals a new chapter in Dubai’s development — one built around efficiency, sustainability and quality of life.
