Dubai plans to plant approximately 3.5 million trees by 2040 as part of a major expansion of green spaces and public recreational areas across the emirate.
Dubai Municipality has also set a target of expanding green and landscaped areas to 187 square kilometres and increasing green space to 11 square metres per person.
The plans were presented by Dubai Municipality Director General Marwan bin Ghalita at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum. The municipality also wants parks and recreational facilities across Dubai to attract around 95 million visits each year.
The wider strategy includes major investment in drainage, waste management, food safety and smart construction. Dubai’s Dh30 billion Tasreef project is expected to increase rainwater drainage capacity by 700 per cent and eventually handle more than 20 million cubic metres of rainwater a day.
For residents, the expansion could mean more shaded areas, parks and recreational spaces as Dubai continues to grow. The programme is also part of a wider effort to make the city’s infrastructure more resilient as temperatures, population and development continue to increase.