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Dubai Plan 2021
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DUBAI PLAN 2021
Dubai Plan 2021 describes the future of Dubai through holistic and complementary perspectives, starting with the people and the society who have always been, and always will be, the bedrock of the city. This aspect describes the characteristics that Dubai’s people need to have to deliver on the city’s aspirations in all areas, and examines the society needed to support and empower these individuals in achieving their goals.
The plan addresses the urban environment including both natural and built assets, and looks at the living experience of the people of Dubai and its visitors as a result of their interaction with this environment and the economic and social services provided. In addition, the plan also focuses on the economy, which is the city’s development engine and its fuel for its march forward.
Finally, the plan addresses the government as the custodian of the city development in all aspects. These perspectives were divided into 6 themes, each highlighting a group of strategic developmental aims for Dubai, and together forming the city’s vision for 2021.
- The People: “City of Happy, Creative & Empowered People”
- The Society: “An Inclusive & Cohesive Society”
- The Experience: “The Preferred Place to Live, Work & Visit”
- The Place: “A Smart & Sustainable City”
- The Economy: “A Pivotal Hub in the Global Economy”
- The Government: “A Pioneering and Excellent Government”

THE PEOPLE
“City of Happy, Creative & Empowered People”
The people of Dubai are the main focus of Dubai Plan 2021. It is from this perspective that the plan addresses the traits and characteristics that must be reinforced and developed among the people of Dubai to ensure they are capable of driving the city forward into its future. Accordingly, the theme focuses on reinforcing the feeling of responsibility each individual must have towards themselves and their families and society in pursuing and promoting education and personal development, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, to enable them to play an active, productive, and innovate role in all aspects of the society and economy.
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Educated, Cultured and Healthy Individuals: Individuals who take care of their own wellbeing and that of their family through proactive measures to manage their health and enhance their skills and ability to contribute to the economy and society of Dubai building on their solid education and cultured upbringing. |
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Productive and Innovative in a Variety of Fields: Individuals who strive to succeed, are financially self-sufficient, and embody the mindset and disposition of entrepreneurs and responsible citizens. |
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Happy Individuals Proud of Their Culture: Individuals who are generally satisfied with their life in Dubai, confident about their future and proud of their cultural origins. |
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Are the Cornerstone for Dubai’s Development across all fields: Emiratis men and women playing an important role in the development of Dubai and filling critical roles across various sectors including social, economic, and urban. |
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TIMSS results of international assessments of Emirati students (For Math & Science for Grade 4 & 8) |
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PISA results of international assessments of Emirati students (For Math, Science & Reading) |
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Proportion of Emirati households living comfortably or getting by with their current income level |
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Percentage of individuals who feel proud of the Emirati culture, traditions and national identity |
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Number of higher education degrees per 100,000 population (Total and Emiratis) |

THE SOCIETY
“An Inclusive & Cohesive Society”
Dubai is unique in the diversity and cohesiveness of its society, which was forged on tolerance, respect, forgiveness and communication since Dubai’s inception, which resulted in the creation of an exemplary multicultural society. This theme focuses on continuing in Dubai’s tradition of celebrating diversity to enrich the city and drive its development by harnessing the talents and creativity of its global and diverse population. The theme also addresses the importance of the family as the building unit that nurtures and empowers the individual, and also emphasizes the importance of social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in the society.
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A Vibrant and Sustainable Multi-Cultural Society: A population that is economically and demographically sustainable and for which multiculturalism is a source of strength and pride. |
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A Tolerant and Inclusive Society Embracing the Civic Values of Dubai: A society in which people are treated equally and fairly and share a set of core civic values including tolerance, and personal responsibility. |
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Cohesive Families and Communities Forming the Bedrock of Society: Families and communities that provide nurturing environments for personal development, including the raising of children inculcated with core values of personal responsibility, creativity and tolerance. |
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Proportion of individuals who are satisfied with the cultural diversity in Dubai |
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Proportion of people who believe that people with disabilities are well-catered to in Dubai society |
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Proportion of individuals who believe that Dubai is an appropriate place to raise a family |
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Proportion of individuals who consider Dubai a suitable place to live for expatriates of different nationalities |
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Fertility Rate of Emiratis |
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Proportion of individuals who feel that they have friends or relatives they can rely on to help them when needed |

THE EXPERIENCE
“The Preferred Place to Live, Work & Visit”
The rich high-quality experience that Dubai provides to its residents and visitors is one of the most critical advantages the city has to offer. This theme focuses on improving Dubai’s livability by building on and improving this experience. It addresses the need to provide the best educational, health, and housing services to all residents, while availing a rich cultural experience and entertainment options such as parks, beaches, and sports facilities that cater to local residents and attracts tourists, in the safest and most secure environment possible.
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Vibrant and Active, Providing a Rich Cultural Experience and Globally Distinctive Entertainment Outlets: Dubai offers a diverse set of cultural and recreational options, including green spaces, beaches, sporting facilities, entertainment options and cultural experiences making it an attractive and entertaining city for residents and a popular destination for tourists. |
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The Most Secure Place: A feeling among residents and workers living in Dubai and tourists visiting Dubai, that the city is a safe and secure place to be and that any personal security concerns are dealt with efficiently and transparently by law enforcement authorities. |
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Proportion of individuals satisfied with the availability of good, affordable housing |
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Proportion of individuals who recommend Dubai to a friend or associate as a place to live |
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Quality of Living Index (Mercer) |
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Sense of security in Dubai |
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TIMSS results of international assessments for all students (For Maths & Science for Grade 4 & 8) |
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PISA results of international assessments for all students (For Maths, Science & Reading) |
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PISA results of international assessments for all students (For Maths, Science & Reading) |
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THE PLACE
“A Smart & Sustainable City”
This theme focuses on building fully connected and integrated infrastructure that ensures easy mobility for all residents and tourists, and provides easy access to all economic centers and social services, in line with the world’s best cities. The theme addresses the importance of sustainability in managing against Dubai’s future growth by ensuring the availability of clean energy sources and protecting natural resources such as soil, water, and air, and promoting sustainable consumption. The theme also examines the urban environment of the city highlighting the need to adopt the highest standards of safety.
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A Smart, Integrated and Connected City: The infrastructure that supports the economic and social life of Dubai as a city matches world-class levels of efficiency and citizen accessibility, and that allows for future growth of the city. |
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Sustainable with its Resources: A city that uses its resources sustainably over the long-term and in line with international best practice levels in terms of consumption, efficiency, and management, and in its dependence on renewable energy sources. |
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Environmental Elements are Clean, Healthy and Sustainable: Dubai enjoys a clean and healthy environment in all its elements and ensures its sustainability in the long-term, and in line with the world’s best practices. |
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Satisfaction with the Infrastructure of Dubai (by area) |
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Rate of carbon dioxide emissions per GDP |
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Annual solid waste generated by the city per capita |
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Average response time to different emergencies (civil defense for fire accidents) |
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Average response time to different emergencies (ambulance) |
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Road fatalities per 100,000 population |

THE ECONOMY
“A Pivotal Hub in the Global Economy”
Dubai has become a key player in the global economy and it aims to reinforce its position by enhancing its standing as a global business center to be among the top 5 centers for trade, logistics, finance, and tourism. Dubai’s announcement as the Capital of Islamic Economy is an important step in recognizing Dubai as one of the leading economic centers. This theme focuses on moving Dubai to a sustainable economic model driven by innovation, and productivity in capital and labor, and supported by the most business friendly environment. In addition, the theme highlights the importance of a diversified set of value-add economic activities that would enhance Dubai’s economic resilience and allow it to absorb internal and external shocks.
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A City that Enjoys Sustainable Economic Growth: Economic growth that is resilient to disruptive shocks because it is underpinned by a diversified base of economic activity, innovation in business models and increasing productivity of labor and capital. |
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One of the World’s Leading Business Centres: Consistently ranked as one of the top 5 global centers for trade, logistics, tourism and finance as well as internationally recognized as the leading financial and trading center at the heart of the Islamic economy. |
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Trade Openness Ratio |
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Jebel Ali port ranking and volume in container throughout (Regionally and Globally) |
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Dubai International Airport ranking and volume in Passenger Traffic (Regionally and Globally) |
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International Financial Center Index |
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Total number of tourists |
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Composite Indicator for Islamic Economy |
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Dubai Ease of Doing Business ranking |
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Foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP (total) |

THE GOVERNMENT
“A Pioneering and Excellent Government”
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai always emphasized that the government is an authority FOR the people and not over them. This has been a key principle for how the Government of Dubai has operated in everything it does. Dubai Plan 2021 dedicates a theme to this idea, whereby people’s happiness and satisfaction with government services and policies are the primary measures for the government’s success. The theme also addresses the need to enhance government efficiency and transparency in all aspects.
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Proactive and Creative in Meeting the Needs of Individuals and Society as a Whole: The government is forward-looking, proactively listening to and engaging all stakeholders, to ensure that its policies and services meet the needs of individuals and society as a whole, in the present and the future. It also aims to simplify the lives of people through the provision of smart, high quality government services reflecting the individual activities and institutional requirements. |
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Sustainable and Innovative in the Management of its Resources: The Government of Dubai adopts a culture of innovation and excellence in its approach to the management of public finances in a manner that sustainably supports city development and environmental friendliness, and human resource practices that ensure the accumulation and continuity of knowledge and experience for the government. |
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Satisfaction rate with the quality of City’s services |
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Budget surplus / deficit (as % of GDP) |
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Total public debt as a percentage of GDP |
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Proportion of government buildings that are green certified |
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Rule of Law Index |
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Proportion of individuals who have confidence in the judicial system and the courts |
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