H.H. Hamdan Witnesses Expansion of Hewi Dubai Community Initiative

Dubai, UAE: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement aimed at expanding the Hewi Dubai initiative to Al Barsha and Muhaisnah.

The agreement was signed between Dubai Municipality, the General Construction Company, and Binghatti, and will support the development of Hewi Al Barsha and Hewi Muhaisnah as part of the continued rollout of the community-focused initiative across the emirate.

The partnership aligns with Dubai Municipality’s broader objectives to strengthen community engagement, enhance quality of life, and reinforce neighbourhood spaces as social anchors that promote interaction, belonging, and local identity. The expansion forms part of Dubai’s long-term urban and social development strategy, which prioritises people-centric planning and inclusive public spaces.

The agreement was signed by Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director-General of Dubai Municipality; Hamad Ali Saif Lootah, Chairman of the General Construction Company; and Abdullah Binghatti, Head of Sales at Binghatti, in the presence of senior officials from all three entities.

Public–private collaboration for community development

Through the agreement, Dubai Municipality continues to advance a collaborative development model that brings together public-sector leadership and private-sector expertise to deliver community destinations that respond to the evolving needs of residents. The Municipality reaffirmed its openness to engaging additional investors, partners, and developers interested in contributing to future Hewi Dubai locations across the emirate.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita said,

The new partnership with Binghatti and the General Construction Company builds on the success of the first phase of Hewi Dubai in Nad Al Sheba 4, which reintroduced the concept of the hewi as a contemporary community space rooted in Emirati identity. Our objective is to deliver a qualitative shift in the design of neighbourhood courtyards and facilities for citizens, transforming them into inclusive environments that strengthen social interaction, connectivity, and cohesion, while enhancing quality of life through thoughtful urban and architectural planning aligned with global standards and local culture.

Mohammed Binghatti, Chairman of Binghatti, said,

We are proud to partner with Dubai Municipality and the General Construction Company in implementing the Hewi Dubai initiative, which reflects Dubai’s vision for vibrant community spaces that bring people together while preserving the spirit of the Emirati fareej in a modern context. These destinations go beyond urban design to foster social cohesion, reinforce local identity, and create environments that support healthy, connected, and sustainable lifestyles.

Abdullah Binghatti, Head of Sales at Binghatti, who attended the signing on behalf of Mohammed Binghatti, added,

This partnership represents a valuable opportunity to contribute to the development of integrated community spaces that enhance interaction across society, support local identity, and elevate quality of life through environments designed for everyday social engagement.

The Hewi Dubai initiative is one of Dubai Municipality’s strategic projects developed in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation. It aims to create contemporary community spaces that encourage interaction among residents while providing welcoming environments for senior citizens, children, and families to participate in outdoor and social activities.

The initiative seeks to revive the spirit of the traditional Emirati fareej through a modern design approach. Architectural elements include the Dajja, a semi-open space near mosques designed for quiet gathering and reflection, and the Saha, a flexible indoor and outdoor area that supports meetings, celebrations, community events, and children’s play. Together, these spaces preserve the essence of the fareej through everyday lived experiences.

Dubai Municipality continues to oversee the development of public and recreational facilities as part of its mandate to enhance urban liveability and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global benchmark for quality of life.