Sheikh Hamdan Approves $136.1m Umm Suqeim Beach Redevelopment Plan

Dubai, UAE: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, has approved a comprehensive master plan for the redevelopment of Umm Suqeim Beach, a landmark public waterfront project with an estimated investment of $136.1 million (AED 500 million).

The initiative, led by Dubai Municipality, forms part of a broader strategy to enhance Dubai’s public beaches and reinforce the emirate’s position as a leading global tourism and lifestyle destination. The master plan aims to create an iconic coastal environment that blends universal appeal with a distinctive Emirati identity, setting a new benchmark for public waterfront development.

Advancing Dubai’s waterfront vision

Announcing the approval on X, Sheikh Hamdan said:

Today, we approved the AED500 million Umm Suqeim Beach master plan. The project is part of our ongoing drive to enhance Dubai’s beaches with world-class design elements that reflect the city’s spirit of innovation and creativity and its leadership in leveraging the highest urban planning standards and advanced technology to deliver distinctive, sustainable leisure and tourism facilities. Dubai is a jewel among cities and a pearl among beach destinations, and the quality of life of its residents and visitors remains our top priority.

He added that the continued development of Dubai’s infrastructure, including public spaces and waterfronts, reflects an integrated vision focused on creating a holistic urban environment that supports community needs and strengthens Dubai’s global competitiveness as a place to live, work, and visit.

The Umm Suqeim Beach project aligns closely with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which prioritise sustainable coastal development, enhanced public spaces, and long-term urban resilience to meet future growth requirements.

Covering a stretch of 3.1 kilometres and spanning approximately 445,000 square metres, the project will increase both beach area and developable space by 30 percent. Smart lighting systems will illuminate 130,000 square metres of beachfront, enabling night swimming and extended evening activities.

Read more: Sheikh Hamdan approves new residential planning model for Dubai

Sustainable, community-centric development

The master plan is underpinned by comprehensive social, environmental, and traffic studies, alongside extensive community engagement. This approach is designed to ensure sustainable land use, high-quality planning, and a careful balance between tourism activation, environmental preservation, and residential privacy.

The plan was approved in the presence of senior officials including H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai; and Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning in Dubai.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita commented:

Umm Suqeim Beach development project embodies Dubai Municipality’s commitment to implementing the directives of our leadership by delivering state-of-the-art tourism infrastructure while offering high-quality, integrated experiences centered on quality of life, sustainability, and community wellbeing. In developing Umm Suqeim Beach, we focus on creating an all-day beach destination that combines leisure, sports, and culture while adhering to the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and inclusivity for people of determination and senior citizens. We seek to make the beach a welcoming space for all segments of society.

Transforming a coastal landmark

Following redevelopment, Umm Suqeim Beach is expected to attract six million visitors annually, supported by major infrastructure upgrades and a 200 percent increase in parking capacity to 2,400 spaces. Improved access points from Jumeirah Street and a redesigned traffic layout will separate beach traffic from surrounding residential areas.

The project includes six architecturally distinctive gateways, 10 mobility hubs, and 11 taxi zones, alongside integrated cycling and e-scooter facilities. A 38-metre observation tower, inspired by Dubai’s maritime heritage, will serve as a new coastal landmark.

Sustainability and climate resilience are central to the development, with advanced engineering measures including a two-kilometre retaining wall, elevated beach levels, and an AI-driven facilities management system designed to optimise operational efficiency and environmental performance.

Dubai Municipality is also engaging private sector partners and investors to strengthen public-private collaboration and stimulate tourism-driven economic growth, positioning Umm Suqeim Beach as a flagship model for future coastal developments across the emirate.