Top 15 Upcoming Mega Projects in the UAE to Watch

Dubai Creek Tower is expected to overtake Burj Khalifa as the tallest structure in the world. This awe-inspiring tower will become the centrepiece of the Dubai Creek Harbour project. The Creek Tower will feature residential, commercial, and leisure hubs, symbolising Dubai’s modernity as well as its cultural heritage.

All Dubai tours of the future will mark out Dubai Creek Tower as the number one go-to destination. is a combination of modern technology and aesthetic beauty; it is designed by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The architectural plan symbolises the elegance of a blooming lily flower. The majestic silhouette of the tower will redefine the Dubai skyline, offering a stunning panorama. 

The tower in Dubai Creek Harbour promises spectacular views, luxurious amenities, and will achieve landmark status, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for innovation and development.

The building, shaped like a large silvery eye, boasts an intricate facade adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Situated atop a podium envisioned as a green hillside, this torus-shaped wonder is dedicated to cutting-edge technology and serves as a hub for forward-thinking exhibitions and workshops. The museum floor “tomorrow today” sums up the theme of the museum.

The future-orientated institution in the financial district signals Dubai's sustainable and technology-driven future. It offers a futuristic vision of what life could look like in 2070. The Museum of the Future scripts an educative experience to any Dubai holiday itinerary. More so the wristband entry passes to the museum.

This luxury resort project is located within the World Islands, a group of six islands in Dubai. It features climate-controlled streets, exclusive villas, and underwater hotels. The project aims to replicate European experiences in the heart of Dubai, showcasing sleek residences and amazing amenities, all designed to offer the best of Europe in the city of Dubai. The Heart of Europe project will include 4,000 holiday homes and 15 luxury hotels. It will lure both investors and tourists keen to extend their staycation options in Dubai.

The environmentally friendly development includes solar panels and thousands of coral reefs, besides different kinds of plants and trees. It promises to make your “everyday feel like a holiday.”The Heart of Europe: This luxury resort project is located within the World Islands, a group of six islands in Dubai. It features climate-controlled streets, exclusive villas, and underwater hotels.

The project aims to replicate European experiences in the heart of Dubai, showcasing sleek residences and amazing amenities, all designed to offer the best of Europe in the city of Dubai. The Heart of Europe project will include 4,000 holiday homes and 15 luxury hotels. It will lure both investors and tourists keen to extend their staycation options in Dubai. The environmentally friendly development includes solar panels and thousands of coral reefs, besides different kinds of plants and trees. It promises to make your “everyday feel like a holiday.”

The upcoming tech-focused district in Al Jaddaf along Dubai Creek is a transformative project with major economic, environmental, and real estate implications. Housing more than 4,000 startups, it will accelerate next-gen technologies, especially AI, robotics, and urban technology, effectively establishing Dubai as a global tech hub. It will also boost Dubai’s position as a hub for innovation and will be the largest city in the world dedicated to urban technology to tackle the problems of urbanisation in the future.

It is in consonance with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan that focuses on the development of sustainable urban communities. The Dubai Urban Tech District will offer a collaborative environment where researchers, entrepreneurs, and start-ups can join hands to find solutions for the problems faced in developing sustainable and smart cities. The district will be a zero-carbon zone with a total built-up area of 140,000 square meters.

The creative district in Abu Dhabi will be fully tailored for the media, entertainment, and gaming industries. It will provide a platform for global content creators and professionals. Yas Creative Hub is the emerging home for Abu Dhabi’s media, gaming, and entertainment sector. Designed by MZ Architects, it features a fully walkable, landscaped campus that includes parks, cafes, and restaurants; wellness facilities, an outdoor amphitheatre, rooftop terraces, and direct pedestrian access to Yas Bay Waterfront and Etihad Arena.

The 2.9 million sq. ft. of sustainable development will host a diverse array of global companies, local businesses, and freelance professionals. It is purpose-built to meet the future needs of the flourishing Culture and Creative Industries (CCI) sector. 

Located in Sharjah, this futuristic mixed-use project will feature retail, entertainment, and residential spaces, emphasising sustainability and eco-friendly living. The goal is to minimise resource consumption. It conceptualises how to capture and sustain even a water droplet that strikes the earth’s surface, with elliptical buildings designed to channel prevailing winds into civic spaces and courtyards to facilitate cooling during the months.

The central observation tower is surrounded by vibrant public squares with water features irrigated by recycled water. Canopies create a microclimate at ground level for lush gardens of species. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the mixed-use development encompasses the 1.9 million square foot Central Hub, serving as a significant tourist attraction for Sharjah, the cultural capital of the Arab world. 

Although it is a project in Saudi Arabia, NEOM’s proximity to the UAE opens the scope for collaborative developments, including transport and trade. NEOM City is taking shape in northwestern Saudi Arabia, seeking to redefine the future of urban living. The $500 billion megacity project in the Tabuk Province has the Red Sea to its south. The NEOM city project aims to address the prevailing challenges of life on earth through technology-led, nature-inspired, people-centric, but sustainable solutions.

The aggressive railway development in the UAE is to link all the seven emirates and other GCC states. The current Etihad Rail network is designed to offer an environmentally friendly means of transport for both passengers and freight. The national railway network was launched in 2009, and the first phase of the project was completed in 2016. The entire Etihad Rail project plans for 1,200 km of tracks that will connect to the Saudi Arabian border to the south and reach Oman to the east.

 The second phase of the rail project will link Abu Dhabi, Port Khalifa, Dubai, Sharjah, Port Jebel Ali, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah on the east coast. .  This will effectively unify all trading centres and industrial ports within the UAE, providing seamless connectivity to the existing line at Ruwais. In Phase 2 of Etihad Rail, the network will also connect to the neighbouring five GCC countries.

Building on the legacy of Expo 2020, this world-class residential and commercial development features spaces alongside cultural attractions, embodying the vision of sustainable urban living. Covering a total area of 3.5 sq km, it includes a gradual development plan that will adapt to evolving needs. Expo City master plan seeks to provide 35,000 luxury residence units and operational space for more than 40,000 professionals. The project’s prime location at Dubai South will drive high growth in a world-class environment. Expo City Dubai is rightly positioned as the new centre of Dubai’s future.

The massive skate park in Sharjah is the biggest such facility in the entire Middle East region. It is situated in the Madar entertainment zone and covers an area of 90,000 square feet. It comprises a beginner area, an intermediate level, and pro areas, allowing the facility to host competitions of international level. The Aljada Skate Park has incorporated design elements from famous skate parks all over the world, including Bondi Beach, Salt Lake City, and Ariake Urban Sports Park of Tokyo.

With this solar park, Dubai is asserting its claim to the largest solar plant in the world, significantly contributing to the city's clean energy strategy, which aims for 75 percent renewable energy by 2050. The solar park in Seih Al Dahal, Dubai, has a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030 and is expected to reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually starting from that year.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park aims to meet the targets of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy (DCES) 2050 through advanced technologies, including photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. Notable features of the solar park include a high-profile innovation centre, an R&D centre with CSP testing facilities, and a solar-powered water desalination plant. The 260-meter solar tower is the tallest of its kind in the world. Total investments in the solar park amount to $4.4 billion.

This is Abu Dhabi’s upscale mixed-use residential and retail development located in the heart of the cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Spanning 6.4 million sq. ft., the development will include several luxury hotels, office spaces, and retail areas. Saadiyat Grove complements many landmarks, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Aldar Properties is developing this $2 billion project, which will feature nearly 4,000 residential units, with 5 percent designated as branded residences. The first phase is set to be unveiled in 2025, offering the latest amenities, including gyms, swimming pools, children’s playgrounds, landscaped gardens, and running tracks for the community.

Dubai Harbour: The magnificent development of Dubai Harbour, located between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, creates the region’s largest marina, featuring ultra-modern cruise terminals, accommodating luxury yachts of various sizes, high-end retail, and exclusive waterfront residences. It reaffirms Dubai’s reputation as a maritime hub.

Spanning 20 million square feet, the project redefines the concept of waterfront living and further enhances Dubai’s status as a global tourism and trade centre. Premier Marina is the largest marina in the Middle East, accommodating over 1,000 yachts, along with additional amenities such as a yacht club and helipads.

Other thrill-seekers can be entertained at Skydive Dubai as well as Ain Dubai, the largest observation wheel. Dubai Harbour is also complemented by the majestic Dubai Lighthouse, a 135-meter tower with an observation deck offering views of the entire city of Dubai.

This twin-island development features ultra-luxury resorts, a marine park, and fabulous family-friendly attractions. Located near the world-famous Burj Al Arab luxury hotel, the luxury resort will open by mid-2025. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab features easy access to major urban hubs but stands out as a private retreat from busy city life.

This latest luxury resort project in Dubai epitomises opulence and innovation in hospitality. It is an architectural marvel, with the design aesthetically mimicking the motion of waves in the Arabian Gulf.

Al Jubail Island is an exclusive residential haven and lifestyle destination in Abu Dhabi, between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. The development spreads over 2,800 hectares and encompasses a cluster of six residential villages with 30 km of waterfront and mangrove forests.

It offers luxury villas and eco-friendly recreational facilities with breathtaking views of nature and rich biodiversity. The Jubail Island promotes wellness and fitness with its extensive amenities. Whether it is a yoga session by the water or hiking trails through the mangroves, there are plenty of engaging fitness activities available.

For the more than 17 million visitors arriving in Dubai and the UAE each year, these new attractions can assist in constructing an exciting itinerary. It is clear that the UAE has always aimed to delight its visitors with exceptional experiences, and these projects represent a significant step in that direction too.