Dubai’s 20-Minute City Plan Gets the Green Light from Sheikh Hamdan
From walkable neighbourhoods to faster airport check-ins, Dubai approves future-ready projects to make city life smoother.
Dubai just took another big step toward smarter city living.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved the launch of the 20-minute city plan, alongside two other projects aimed at improving healthcare detection and making airport check-ins faster and easier.
All three initiatives are part of Dubai’s push to stay ahead of the curve — and everyday city life is about to feel a lot more convenient.
Hamdan bin Mohammed approves launch of three new projects under the Dubai 10X Initiative, which aims to place Dubai ten years ahead of other cities by adopting future-focused government models. pic.twitter.com/GMnQDhsGA9
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 28, 2026
What the 20-Minute City Means
The 20-minute city plan is simple: residents should be able to reach 80 per cent of essential services within 20 minutes by walking, cycling, or using sustainable transport.
The pilot project will focus on:
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Safer roads
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Shaded green spaces
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Flexible mobility corridors
Work has already started in Al Barsha 2, marking the first testing ground for this neighbourhood-first approach.
Faster Disease Detection Across Dubai
Another approved project focuses on early detection of diseases, led by Dubai’s health authority.
Several hospitals and clinics are involved, including:
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Canadian Specialist Hospital
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Aster Clinics
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King’s College Hospital London
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Medcare Hospital
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HMS Mirdif Hospital
The pilot phase will focus on diabetes, a condition that costs Dubai an estimated Dh2.78 billion every year. The aim is to catch cases earlier and reduce long-term health and economic impact.
City Check-Ins Before the Airport
Airport stress might soon get lighter.
A new project will allow travellers to complete airport check-in at locations across the city, then head straight to departure terminals via secure transport.
The goal is to:
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Reduce airport congestion
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Speed up travel procedures
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Improve the overall passenger experience
Think fewer queues, smoother journeys.
Chosen from 80 Future Ideas
The approved projects were selected from around 80 proposals submitted by Dubai government employees under the Dubai10X Initiative, which aims to put Dubai 10 years ahead of other global cities through bold, future-focused ideas.