In line with the Dubai Parks and Greenery Strategy 2040 Dubai Municipality launches Greenery and Plantation Manual 2026 to shape greener public spaces across Dubai

• Comprehensive new manual establishes a unified framework for the planning, design, delivery and long-term maintenance of parks, green corridors, recreational spaces and landscaped rights of way across Dubai
• Supports the implementation of the Dubai Parks and Greenery Strategy 2040 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, contributing to a greener, more liveable and climate-resilient city
• Promotes consistent landscape design, distinctive local identities, sustainable irrigation, biodiversity and climate-responsive development across Dubai’s urban, coastal, desert, rural and mountainous environments

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 03  September 2026: Dubai Municipality has launched the Greenery and Plantation Manual 2026, a comprehensive reference that will guide the planning, design, development, management and maintenance of green and open spaces across Dubai.

The manual supports the implementation of the Dubai Parks and Greenery Strategy 2040 and is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. It provides guidance for the development of parks, recreational open spaces, green corridors and landscaped rights of way across urban and rural areas, including Hatta.

Developed for planning, design, infrastructure and irrigation professionals in the public and private sectors, the manual sets out planning principles, minimum standards and implementation guidance for the delivery of high-quality green and open spaces throughout Dubai.

The guidance will strengthen consistency in landscape planning and design while improving the quality, functionality and long-term sustainability of public realm and greenery projects. It also supports wider strategic objectives to expand publicly accessible green and open spaces, promote health and wellbeing, improve connectivity, encourage walking and cycling, enhance biodiversity and reduce the urban heat island effect.

Nasser Abushahab, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency Planning & Governance Sector at Dubai Municipality, said: “The Greenery and Plantation Manual 2026 translates Dubai’s strategic ambitions for greener and more liveable urban environments into clear standards that can be applied across future projects. It provides government entities, developers, consultants and technical professionals with a unified reference for designing and maintaining green spaces that respond to the needs of each location while supporting the long-term performance of Dubai’s public realm.”

He added: “Greenery is an essential part of urban infrastructure and plays an important role in improving quality of life, strengthening climate resilience and creating healthier public spaces. Through this manual, we are establishing a consistent approach that supports efficient water use, protects biodiversity and ensures that Dubai’s landscape continues to reflect the environmental and cultural identity of its different communities.”

Sustainability is embedded throughout the manual. The guidance covers sustainable irrigation systems, water-efficient landscape design, surface-water management, maintenance standards and the use of native and adaptive plant species. These measures support long-term environmental performance and operational efficiency across Dubai’s green infrastructure network.

A key feature of the manual is its place-based identity framework, which responds to Dubai’s diverse environmental and urban conditions. The guidance is organised around four geographical settings covering coastal, urban, desert and rural, and mountainous environments. It also identifies five-character zones covering the historic core, mixed-use urban areas, national housing communities, industrial areas, and rural areas and Hatta. This approach will establish a cohesive landscape identity across Dubai while reflecting the environmental, functional and cultural characteristics of each location.

The manual provides overarching design guidance, typology-specific requirements, softscape and hardscape palettes, water-management and irrigation standards, maintenance requirements and innovative approaches to urban greening.

It reinforces the role of greenery as essential urban infrastructure that enhances quality of life, strengthens climate resilience and supports sustainable urban development.

The launch of the Greenery and Plantation Manual 2026 reflects Dubai Municipality’s continued commitment to enhancing the public realm and providing a unified reference for the delivery and long-term management of greener, more liveable and climate-responsive public spaces across Dubai.