The Park Dubai: A new chapter for Dubai

In the heart of Dubai, a historic site is being reimagined as the city’s next great frontier.

At the Jebel Ali Racecourse, long a symbol of the emirate’s equestrian heritage, A.R.M. Holding is unveiling a new kind of city: one designed not only to be seen, but to be lived in, walked through, and breathed.

This five-square-kilometre masterplan marks a defining moment in Dubai’s urban evolution. Designed in partnership with BIG — Bjarke Ingels Group, the development transforms the racecourse into a living landscape of interconnected communities, a place where heritage, humanity, and innovation converge.

“This is about preserving Dubai’s soul while shaping its future,” says Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Chief Executive Officer of A.R.M. Holding.

“We’re building not only a destination, but a legacy, one that embodies connection, vitality, and belonging.”

A City Within a City

Set to break ground in 2026, “The Park Dubai” is more than real estate; it is a redefinition of what urban life in the Gulf can be.

A network of walkable neighbourhoods, shaded boulevards, and vibrant public plazas replaces the traditional model of gated villas and highways. Within this ecosystem, every resident lives within a five-minute walk of green space and a ten-minute reach of education, health, retail, and work.

The design aligns closely with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which envisions a greener, more inclusive, and human-scale metropolis.

Soft mobility loops, tree-lined streets, and temperature-reducing microclimates make walking and cycling part of daily life, a true five-to-ten-minute city.

Air quality, biodiversity, and energy efficiency are treated as design drivers, not afterthoughts. Passive cooling systems, local materials, and native landscaping reduce emissions and water consumption while enhancing comfort all year round.

The result is a city that moves at the pace of people, not cars, a framework for healthier, more connected living.

From Vision to Vitality

A.R.M. Holding defines success in human terms. Guided by 15 measurable KPIs across four pillars: Sustainability, Vibrancy, Community, and Wellbeing, the mega-project sets new standards for quality of life. Among its targets:

• 100% of residents can reach workplaces and social services within 10 minutes.
• 100% accessibility for people of determination.
• A 5°C temperature reduction in walkable areas.
• The highest life expectancy in the GCC, supported by the “city-as-gym” philosophy — embedding activity into everyday life.

For Al Shehhi, this is about redefining prosperity itself: “Our goal isn’t only sustainability in structure, it’s vitality in spirit. We want communities that move, breathe, and grow naturally over time.”

Design Rooted in Heritage

Bjarke Ingels describes the project as “an archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green.”

The racetrack becomes both a cultural spine and a symbol of continuity, surrounded by a 1.5-square-kilometre park that rivals Hyde Park in scale. The architecture draws on centuries-old Emirati vernacular principles: courtyards, shaded colonnades, and mashrabiyya screens reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.

Each cluster grows organically from the landscape, creating an urban rhythm of openness, shade, and intimacy.

The legacy of the Jebel Ali Racecourse is not merely preserved but elevated. Equestrian culture remains a defining thread, with riding trails, equine museums, and public events designed to make this heritage accessible to all.

“We’re not just integrating the racecourse; we’re extending its spirit,” says Al Shehhi. “It’s about honouring what came before while creating what comes next.”

Anchors of Experience

At the heart of the development lies a constellation of human experiences, cultural, social, and wellness-driven spaces designed to evolve with time. From heritage-inspired landmarks to future-facing creative hubs, these anchors bring vitality to the masterplan, transforming it from a development into a living, breathing city. Each one enriches the collective experience, ensuring that every encounter, every walk, and every view carries a sense of meaning and belonging.

Human-Centric by Design

From the outset, the development approach has been centered on authenticity and user experience. “Buildings alone don’t create successful developments; it’s the harmony between design, experience, and the people who inhabit them that brings them to life,” says Alain Kallas, Chief Development Officer at A.R.M. Holding. “Our goal is to design intuitively, inclusively, and purposefully.”

This means designing for both comfort and connection:

• Shaded routes and passive cooling make outdoor spaces usable all year round.
• Security systems are discreetly integrated into the landscape.
• Green corridors provide breathing space and biodiversity throughout the site.

Every feature, from mobility to materials, supports the rhythm of daily life, prioritising simplicity, accessibility, and well-being.

Culture of Continuity

Dubai’s story is one of coexistence. With over 200 nationalities, it remains one of the most diverse cities in the world, yet its heart beats with the warmth of Emirati hospitality.

This upcoming development reflects this dual identity: globally welcoming, locally rooted.

Traditional architectural motifs, canopies, barajeel, and courtyards, meet contemporary spaces for art, education, and culture. The result is a living environment that feels both grounded and open, reflecting Dubai’s inclusive spirit.

“Honouring local identity is about more than aesthetics,” says Al Shehhi. “It’s about creating belonging, spaces that feel like home to everyone, yet unmistakably Emirati in character.”

Economic and Social Catalyst

The masterplan is designed as a platform for growth, one that sustains economic activity, fosters SMEs, and attracts global talent.

Commercial areas, co-working hubs, and hospitality offerings are integrated within walkable districts, supporting a diversified local economy aligned with the UAE’s 2040 agenda. Each phase adds new social infrastructure, from schools to clinics, ensuring continuous evolution rather than static completion.

A.R.M. Holding’s long-term stewardship ensures that the mega-project remains adaptive, an evolving ecosystem rather than a finished project.

“We design for flexibility and future relevance,” says Al Shehhi. “A community should grow and mature, just like its people.”

A Legacy in Motion

The message is clear: this is not just about buildings or masterplans. It’s about leadership, purpose, and progress rooted in cultural authenticity.

The mega-project is both a statement and a promise, to design cities that nurture wellbeing, inclusivity, and human connection.

In doing so, A.R.M. Holding redefines what ‘development’ means for the next generation, not as expansion, but as enrichment; not as growth, but as grace.

From Vision to Vitality, A.R.M. Holding is shaping the future of urban life in Dubai.

SETTING NEW BENCHMARKS

The mega-project sets new standards for quality of life. Among its targets:

TIME IS PRECIOUS

> 100% of residents can reach workplaces and social services within 10 minutes.

PRIORITY DEFINED

> 100% accessibility for people of determination.

WALK IN COOLER TEMPERATURES

> A 5°C temperature reduction in walkable areas.

CITY AS GYM

> The highest life expectancy in the GCC, supported by the “city-as-gym” philosophy — embedding activity into everyday life.

THE PARK DUBAI IS MORE THAN REAL ESTATE

A Greener Community: The design aligns closely with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which envisions a greener, more inclusive, and human-scale metropolis.

Futuristic City:  Soft mobility loops, tree-lined streets, and temperature-reducing microclimates make walking and cycling part of daily life, a true five-to-ten-minute city.

Ideal Environment: Air quality, biodiversity, and energy efficiency are treated as design drivers, not afterthoughts.

Comfort for All: Passive cooling systems, local materials, and native landscaping reduce emissions and water consumption while enhancing comfort all year round.

A.R.M. Holding — A Catalyst of Growth

Established as a multi-focused economic enabler, A.R.M. Holding creates synergies and opportunities through strategic local, regional, and global investments. The Group supports companies across diverse sectors including banking, telecom, FMCG, real estate, hospitality, health tech, and sustainability innovation.

A.R.M. Holding’s real estate portfolio includes Dubai Real Estate Centre, Huna, and Hive, reinforcing our commitment to innovative property development. Through thoughtful integration of multi-sector investments, cultural leadership, and innovative development, the Group creates enduring value that enriches our nation, nurtures prosperous communities, builds lasting legacies, and empowers our people across generations.

Our values of humility, cooperation, integrity, agility, and creativity drive us to be the catalyst for growth, inspiring communities to thrive.

• By:
• Muzaffar Rizvi