Dubai has approved a new architectural identity for its road and transport network as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reviewed progress on a series of major infrastructure projects designed to transform mobility, enhance the city’s visual character and cut travel times across key corridors.
The Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai endorsed the architectural identity framework, developed to enrich the urban character of roads, corridors and streets in line with Dubai’s vision to build an integrated and sustainable global city.
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the AED1.3bn ($354m) Trade Centre Roundabout and Al Mustaqbal Street improvement projects, which include the construction of seven bridges and three tunnels spanning 6,5km.
Dubai traffic plan revealed
Serving seven key residential and development areas — including Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Emirates Towers, Museum of the Future and Downtown Dubai — the projects are expected to benefit more than one million residents and visitors and reduce travel time by 75 per cent.
He also reviewed the Dubai Tunnels initiative, which will convert key infrastructure into cultural and artistic landmarks through murals created in collaboration with local artists.
Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Al Tayer briefed him on the scope of Dubai’s 25,000 lane-kilometre network, which serves more than 3.5m vehicles daily.
Dubai has earned global recognition for the speed and efficiency of its transport infrastructure development.
RTA strategy
RTA constructs an average of 829 lane-kilometres each year — more than double the global average of around 400 — and achieves cost efficiency 1.5 to 2.5 times greater than major cities such as Moscow, Shenzhen and Milan.
Road and transport projects have also contributed to increases in property values of 6 per cent to 16 per cent. Between 2025 and 2027, RTA plans to deliver 72 new projects at an estimated cost of AED35bn ($9.53bn).
The Trade Centre Roundabout Improvement Project — one of Dubai’s most vital interchanges — has reached 40 per cent completion.
It connects Sheikh Zayed Road with five arterial routes:
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street
- Sheikh Rashid Street
- 2nd December Street
- Zabeel Palace Street
- Al Majlis Street
The phased opening begins in January next year with two bridges serving traffic from 2nd December Street towards Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Street.
Bridges and tunnels
A second bridge linking Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street will open in March, followed by two additional bridges in October 2026 serving traffic from Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street.
The project involves constructing five bridges totalling 5km and converting the existing roundabout into a surface-level intersection to improve traffic flow across multiple directions.
Once complete, the junction’s capacity will double, cutting average delays from 12 minutes to 90 seconds and reducing travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street from six minutes to one.
Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed on the Al Mustaqbal Street Improvement Project, stretching from Zabeel Palace Street to Financial Centre Street.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, the project includes bridges and tunnels totalling 1,500m and will widen the corridor from three to four lanes in each direction.
Capacity will increase by 33 per cent — from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour — while reducing travel time from 13 minutes to six.
Improved traffic flow
The project includes three tunnels totalling 1,100m at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street, a 400m two-lane bridge serving Dubai World Trade Centre traffic, and widening works over 3,500km.
Additional upgrades include free-flow connections at Exhibition Street and Trade Centre Street, a new pedestrian bridge on Sukuk Street and improvements to existing junctions along the corridor.
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the new architectural identity, aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, designed to unify the city’s infrastructure aesthetics while integrating sustainability, innovation and materials inspired by Dubai’s heritage.
The identity applies to bridges, canopies, lighting, street furniture and other urban elements to ensure visual and functional harmony.
Under the strategy, Dubai has been classified into six zones — residential, rural, industrial, mixed-use, historical and artistic, and high-end attraction areas — each with specific materials, colours and architectural styles to ensure coherence while reflecting the emirate’s diverse character.
Dubai Urban Challenge
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the Dubai Urban Challenge, a global competition that attracted more than 500 artists and designers from 91 countries.
Winners included Oliver Charles from the United Kingdom for A Thread Through Time; Mohammed Ayash from Saudi Arabia for Breathing Masonry; and Giulietta Debrutti from Argentina for Echo.
The visit concluded with a review of the Dubai Tunnels initiative, which will beautify 18 tunnels across three phases using adaptive smart lighting, high-performance artistic wall panels and sustainable materials — reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in integrating functionality, aesthetic excellence and advanced infrastructure design.
