15 Large-Scale Unique Projects in United Arab Emirates That Will Change The Future

Ultra-modern architecture, unique man-made islands, introduction of advanced technologies in all spheres of life — this is what Dubai is already known for today. But in the coming years we are expecting even more unique projects. What kind of projects — we told you in the article.

Etihad Rail is a grandiose project that will modernize the UAE's transport infrastructure.

Passenger trains will move along the new road at speeds of up to 350 km/h. For example, it will be possible to get from Dubai to the Abu Dhabi emirate in just 30 minutes. Etihad Rail is expected to carry 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030, and the project is expected to generate AED 145 billion ($39.4 billion) for the country over the next 50 years.

The development has now reached key milestones: the prototype train is ready, and the next step is to launch tenders and approve network designs.

Legendary shots from “The Fifth Element” will soon become a reality — Dubai electric flying cabs are to be presented to the public as early as next year.

The main task of the project is to provide logistics between hotels and the airport. The routes will connect 4 places: Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai. The flight from the airport to Palm Jumeirah will take 10-12 minutes — about 4 times less than driving. Each aircraft will be able to carry up to 4 passengers.

According to the government, the city is now mapping air corridors and developing regulations for manned and autonomous air cabs and cargo drones.

The project should be completed in 2026.

Dubai Loop is a system of tunnels for unmanned vehicles designed to connect densely populated areas of Dubai. The length of the network will be 17 kilometers, with 11 stops. More than 20,000 passengers will be able to use it every hour.

The Boring Company — the company of Ilon Musk, which specializes in tunnel drilling will work on the project. According to Musk himself, the launch of Dubai Loop will give an opportunity to relieve the roads of the metropolis and significantly reduce travel time.

The project will be important not only for Dubai, but also for the global transportation industry as a whole. Its implementation will set a new global standard for fast, efficient and environmentally friendly means of transportation in megacities.

The world's tallest wellness resort with hanging gardens and water cascades will be built in the picturesque Zabeel Park in Dubai.

The project will include natural wellness zones with thermal pools, modern spa zones, a huge interactive park with water slides and three 18-meter waterfalls. The world's largest indoor botanical garden with more than 200 species of plants will also be built here.

The cost of the project is $2 billion. The grand opening of Therme Dubai is scheduled for the end of 2028. It is expected that the complex will attract millions of visitors annually, which will allow Dubai to become one of the world centers of health tourism.

Dubai Creek Tower was to be the world's tallest tower. Initially it was planned that its height would be 928 meters, later the project was revised and increased to 1345 meters.

Construction of the skyscraper began in 2016, but was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2023, Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar said the project was under redesign. According to him, the renovated Creek Tower is no longer likely to qualify as the tallest. The developer will be interested primarily in his own profit and value for customers and shareholders, rather than the opportunity to set a record.

Nevertheless, the project remains one of the landmarks for Dubai and continues to symbolize the city's commitment to innovation and leadership in architecture and construction.

The Wilds by Aldar is a wildlife-inspired residential development project that will be located near Global Village.

In fact, it is a forest reserve with a variety of flora and fauna and favorable ecology, integrated into the infrastructure of the metropolis. Residential houses will be neighboring, for example, with bird nests, areas for beekeeping and duck houses.

There are 1700 houses in the project — from mansions and villas to apartment complexes. A pavilion for wildlife observation, a premium international school, sports and recreational facilities will also be built here by Aldar Properties.

Construction of another “palm tree” — Palm Jebel Ali has been restarted by Nakheel Properties in the summer of 2024, after a hiatus of more than 15 years.

The island will be almost twice the size of Palm Jumeirah and will add another 110 kilometers to Dubai's coastline. More than 80 hotels and resorts, 35,000 homes, 6 marinas and a water theme park are planned to be built here. Part of the houses will be installed on stilts over the water - the area will be called Sea Village.

One third of the new island's public facilities will be powered by renewable energy sources. The project will be completed in 2028.

Ciel Tower is an 82-story skyscraper being completed at Dubai Marina. The 360-meter building with a hole in the top is to become the tallest hotel in the world.

The building will have more than 1,000 luxury rooms, including 150 suites. A landscape pool will open on the 76th floor and an observation deck with panoramic views of Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf will open on the 81st floor. In addition, the hotel will have restaurants, fitness center, club lounge, spa and bars.

Ciel Tower is expected to open in 2025.

Wasl Tower is a 303-meter tower being completed in Dubai's Al Wasl district.

The project has received the highest ceramic facade in the region. This material provides shade, improves cooling and reduces energy consumption in lighting.

The building will house premium office space, a 5-star Mandarin Oriental hotel, luxury residences, gourmet restaurants, spas and fitness centers. Direct passages will connect the tower with the Burj Khalifa metro station and Dubai Mall.

Azizi Venice is a residential neighborhood inspired by Venetian atmosphere and architecture to be built in the south of Dubai.

The highlight of the project will be a cultural district with an opera house designed by Zaha Hadid Architecture, a theater, an exhibition hall and an arts academy.

Azizi Developments promises that the project will have 100 residential complexes, more than 100 ultra-luxury mansions and numerous shopping, hotel and cultural facilities. For residents and guests of the area will be equipped with sandy beaches, 8-kilometer bicycle and jogging track, areas for yoga and sports, as well as a lively promenade with restaurants and boutiques.

It is expected that Azizi Venice will become a cultural and artistic center that will attract tourists from all over the world. Up to 30,000 visitors per day will be able to visit.

Dubai Green Spine is a project that aims to combine transportation infrastructure with nature.

As part of the project, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Highway (E311) is to be turned into a 64-kilometer green corridor. About one million trees will be planted here, a solar power plant will be installed and environmentally friendly modes of transportation will be launched. Traffic and energy consumption will be managed by AI-based systems, which will increase efficiency and road safety.

The project should reduce the carbon footprint and make Dubai an even more innovative and eco-friendly city that follows the principles of sustainable development.

Dubai Reefs, with an area of 200 square kilometers, is to become the world's largest artificial reef. There will be more than 1 billion corals and 100 million mangrove trees. Floating eco-hotels operating on renewable energy sources will be built around the reef.

The project infrastructure will include a Marine Institute, facilities for research and restoration of nature, ecotourism, recreation, trade and education. A special emphasis will be placed on the protection and preservation of the marine and coastal environment.

The goal of the project is to make Dubai an environmentally friendly place where the city and the ocean coexist in harmony. Implementation is due to end in 2028.

Dubai Mangroves is another environmental project that will plant more than 100 million mangrove trees along 72 kilometers of coastline.

Mangroves are unique coastal ecosystems that reduce carbon dioxide in the air, protect coastlines from erosion and support marine biodiversity.

The project is expected to absorb more than 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide annually — that's about as much as 260,000 gasoline-powered cars generate in the same period. The well-being of the ecosystem will be monitored using drones and AI.

Autonomous police stations using artificial intelligence and other modern technologies are to appear in Dubai by the end of 2026.

Yachtsmen and water sports enthusiasts will be able to receive 27 basic and 33 additional services in 6 languages around the clock. For example, here it will be possible to file a report or make an inquiry, return lost items.

The plots will be designed in such a way that it will be easy to moor a yacht or a boat to them. According to the Dubai authorities, the project will increase the level of security in the city and make life in it even more comfortable.

Burj Azizi is a $1.5 billion building that is set to become the second tallest in Dubai.

The 133-story tower will house luxury residences, a seven-star hotel decorated in the style of seven national cultures, shopping areas and entertainment venues. Residents of the complex will be able to use swimming pools, gyms, spas and other recreational infrastructure.

The authors of the project plan to set several world records at once: the highest observation deck (floor 130), the highest hotel lobby (floor 111), the highest nightclub (floor 126), the highest restaurant (floor 122) and the highest hotel room (floor 118).

The project is scheduled for completion in 2028.