Dubai Unveils $572bn Plan for 350,000 Homes, Metro Expansion

Dubai unveils an AED 2.1 trillion ($572 billion) active project pipeline covering housing, aviation, transport and infrastructure, including 350,000 residential units and major investments in airports, Metro lines and utilities.

Dubai has nearly AED 2.1 trillion ($572 billion) worth of active projects spanning real estate, aviation, transportation and essential infrastructure, according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The development pipeline aims to strengthen the emirate’s capacity to accommodate future population growth, business expansion and economic activity.

Speaking at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum at Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Mohammed describes the investment programme as a foundation for Dubai’s next phase of development. The plans include approximately 350,000 residential units, airport expansion, airline fleet investments, new Metro lines and extensive upgrades to roads, utilities and public spaces.

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Real estate represents one of the largest allocations, with AED 1.1 trillion ($299.5 billion) earmarked for property projects through 2030. The investment is intended to support housing demand and the emirate’s continued urban expansion.

Aviation also accounts for substantial spending. Al Maktoum International Airport receives an allocation of AED 128 billion ($34.9 billion), with plans to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually over the next decade. Meanwhile, AED 328 billion ($89.3 billion) is dedicated to fleet expansion by Emirates and flydubai, alongside AED 18.7 billion ($5.1 billion) for a new Emirates engineering and maintenance complex.

Transport infrastructure remains another priority, with AED 100 billion ($27.2 billion) allocated to road upgrades and the development of the Dubai Metro Blue and Gold lines. The programme also includes AED 10 billion ($2.7 billion) for the expansion of Dubai Exhibition Centre and more than AED 100 billion ($27.2 billion) for Phase 2 of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Investments in essential infrastructure include AED 151 billion ($41.1 billion) for power and water grid development, AED 80 billion ($21.8 billion) for the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels system and AED 30 billion ($8.2 billion) for the Tasreef drainage project. A further AED 4 billion ($1.1 billion) is earmarked for the Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap.

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The announcements form part of Dubai’s broader strategy to maintain infrastructure capacity alongside economic and demographic expansion. Sheikh Mohammed emphasises that forward-looking planning and effective leadership are essential to converting long-term ambitions into projects that improve residents’ quality of life and strengthen the business environment.

The forum brings together government and private-sector leaders, experts and academics to promote strategic planning, leadership development and institutional performance across Dubai.