Dubai has unveiled a Dh390 million, five-year blueprint to upgrade its villages and rural areas into vibrant places for living, working, and tourism. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence — has endorsed 37 development projects to be completed by 2028, targeting both essential community services and a major expansion of desert tourism.
Saih Al Salam Scenic Route: The Plan's Centrepiece
The most prominent component is the Saih Al Salam Scenic Route, a 100-kilometre corridor for vehicles and cyclists designed to promote desert tourism and create investment opportunities for local residents. The master plan includes five service and recreational stations, 97.86 kilometres of new cycling tracks (bringing the area's total to 156.61 km), and a range of landmark experiences:
- Main Hub Station (near Al Qudra Lakes): traditional market, shops, and an open-air cinema - Wildlife Station (near Flamingo Lake): hot air balloon tours, elevated walking trails, and kayak tours - Adventure Station (near Expo 2020 Lake): adventure park, fitness trails, and budget camps - Cultural Experience Station (Al Marmoom camel farm): traditional majlis and entertainment theatre - Desert Adventure Station: dune bashing, desert cycling, sandboarding, and safari tours
Infrastructure Upgrades for Rural Communities
Beyond tourism, the plan prioritises improving quality of life across the 2,216 square kilometres of countryside it covers. The first phase will deliver three nurseries, seven parks and open spaces, a hospital, a health centre, an ambulance station, civil defence facilities, and community centres — all while preserving the region's heritage and character.
Aligned With Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan
The Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Plan forms part of a comprehensive 20-year vision aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The programme aims to increase annual visitors to the rural zones by 600 per cent — from approximately 500,000 today to over 3 million by 2040 — reinforcing Dubai's standing as a premier international destination. Implementation will be carried out in partnership with the private sector, overseen by the Higher Committee for Urban Planning in Dubai.
