Dubai shortens the “20-minute city” to 5 minutes…a new model that redefines access to services

The Director-General of Dubai Municipality, Engineer Marwan bin Ghalita, confirmed that Dubai has today become a global model for an integrated city that puts people at the heart of urban planning, pointing out that the concept of the “20-minute city” to reach basic needs and services on foot has turned into 5 minutes in some areas, thanks to the integration of government agencies and the adoption of modern technologies that have facilitated residents’ access to their daily services quickly and efficiently.

During the “Future of Cities” session within the activities of the “Dubai Future Forum”, held at the Museum of the Future, he presented a comprehensive vision of the “Dubai Model” in building future cities, stressing that the secret of the emirate’s distinction lies in its continuous ability to innovate, monitor early signals, and transform challenges into real opportunities.

He explained that urban planning in Dubai was not the result of the moment, but rather developed gradually according to the needs of the population and the nature of the city, starting with the concentration around Dubai Creek, leading to the transformation into a pivotal global city based on the airport, and then to the stage of modern integrated residential communities that were designed to meet the various needs of the population within one environment.

Bin Ghalaita pointed out that the “spirit of the city” in Dubai is embodied in the daily experience of the resident and visitor, where the quality of services, ease of transportation, and diversity of options contribute to forming a lasting impression that makes it a city with a “beautiful memory” for everyone who passes through it.

He explained that the municipality relies heavily on feedback from the community and visitors, which sometimes leads to immediate changes, such as extending park hours, opening night beaches, and improving public facilities.

He stressed that one of the most prominent challenges today is keeping up with the expectations of millions of nationalities who live in or visit Dubai, in addition to the importance of employing technology to accelerate the pace of construction and support sustainability.

Bin Ghalita stressed that Dubai’s strength lies in its partnerships, its attraction of minds, and its ability to experiment and continuously develop, saying: “In Dubai, there is nothing impossible, but rather opportunities waiting for those who turn them into reality, and that the emirate has become a “home” that embraces all nationalities, thanks to its flexible and innovative urban environment.