12 UAE mega projects that will change the world in the next 100 years
AI, robot taxis and a colony on Mars…
The pace of the UAE’s rise to prominence on the world stage is impressive by any measure. It was a feat made possible, at least in part, by the clarity of vision behind the drive to build and thrive. And it’s a vision that has itself evolved, along with the country’s shifting set of skylines, with a focus now firmly aimed beyond the horizon.
The UAE’s Future Roadmap, reveals a phased blueprint – with aimed completion dates attached to key technological, health, education, infrastructure, tourism, science, cultural and environmental milestones. All of which will be achieved in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and made possible by the UAE’s continued wise and adaptive governance, by remaining at the forefront of the future tech revolution, and through the strategic fostering of native and international talent.
2024 – to the moon
Kicking things off with ‘a giant leap’ for the UAE’s space story – the UAE should, by the end of the year, have completed work on a 100 per cent Emirati-made lunar rover and sent it all the way to the moon. This lunar mission will include a direct research component as well as an opportunity to test space tech and stand as a sort of a dry run for a manned mission to Mars.
2028 – chasing space rocks
In a project that sounds eerily similar to the plot of Armageddon, the UAE’s next grand space adventure in 2028 will involve a five-year, 3.6 billion-kilometre interplanetary yomp. The destination? An asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The objective? To land a spacecraft on an asteroid. If achieved, it will mean the UAE becomes just the fourth nation to have ever achieved that particular goal.
2030 – harnessing the power of the sun
The “largest single-site solar park in the world”, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is on schedule to reach a massive 5,000 MW by 2030 (enough to power roughly four million homes).
2030 – no-ffeur
The Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy is shooting for 25 per cent of Dubai’s total transportation to be autonomous by 2030. Sideline benefits include an expected reduction in carbon emissions and accidents.
2030 – control P
The Dubai 3D Printing Strategy began in 2017, but hopefully by 2030 – the printed fruits of the campaigns labour will be visible, with a stated goal that Dubai will become a hub for the 3D printing world.
2031 – AI Robot
The UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) was launched in 2017 and is fixed on ensuring that all future government services, sectors and infrastructure projects will be powered by AI by 20231. To help get there, the government will invest heavily in cutting-edge AI technology and tools.
2033 – seeing double
The operational mandate of the Dubai Economic Agenda is to double the economy size of Dubai (to Dhs32 trillion) by 2033, cementing Dubai’s position as one of the top three cities globally. 100 individual transformation projects will form the backbone of this policy.
2040 – back to the Fujairah
An ambitious scheme for a sometimes overlooked region of the UAE, the Fujairah 2040 Plan will improve the emirate’s roads, water barriers, ports and include new build residential complexes, healthcare facilities, and a seaport.
2040 – all part of the master plan
Also due to hit maturity in 2040, the Dubai Urban Master Plan was founded on a series of targets that will see the city double in size; as well as growing its green roots with a pledge that rural natural areas will constitute 60 per cent of the emirate’s total area. There will be a focus on developing sustainable transport infrastructure, making it easier for pedestrians and bike users to navigate the city. The land set aside for hotels and tourist activities should have increased by 134 per cent and the total availability of public beach coastline will have expanded by 400 per cent.
2041 – waste not want not
A collection of individual projects – including recycling and waste-energy endeavours – are tied together as part of the Integrated Waste Management Strategy, which is earmarked for a 2041 sign-off date.
2050 – juice cleanse
In an ambitious move for a state so blessed with natural fuel resources, the Clean Energy Strategy will see the UAE leverage multiple forms of green and renwable energy to the extent that, by 2050, it will supply 75 per cent of the country’s energy needs.
2051 – farmville
The UAE has targeted the year 2051 for it to achieve the title of “the world’s best country in the Global Food Security Index”. This means expanding self-sustaining, technology-enhanced farming practices; firm international trade partnerships; enhancing nutritional intake and reducing food loss and waste.
2117 – setting the Mars bar
This is the pledge, shared in 2017 that within a century, the UAE will have established “the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars”. It’s a huge goal, but judging by the space strides already made by the UAE and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, it’s entirely within reach.
Images: What’s On Archive