UAE megaprojects 2023: 5 new developments in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates

The skyline across the UAE is forever evolving, with new communities, new towers and even new islands coming to fruition.

The changes in the past decade have been extraordinary and have made the UAE into one of the most advanced and futuristic nations in the world.

Last year, a host of projects were completed and that is set to be the case again in 2023.

See the slideshow above and list below for the megaprojects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere that are on the way.

Completion dates may be subject to change.

Burj Binghatti, Dubai

There have been a few candidates for “world’s tallest tower” since Burj Khalifa took the crown way back in 2010, and here’s one aiming for the slightly different title of “world’s tallest residential tower”.

Burj Binghatti will have “more than 112 storeys” and will offer residents the chance to “live amidst the clouds”, developer Binghatti said.

Located in Business Bay, it is being developed in co-ordination with Jacob & Co, a New York-headquartered watch and jewellery company.

To become the world’s highest residential tower, Burj Binghatti has to exceed the 472-metre height of the current record-holder, New York’s Central Park Tower.

Palm Jebel Ali

In terms of size, it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

Palm Jebel Ali, the man-made island off the Dubai coast that has sat dormant for a number of years, could be about to see some development action.

Developer Nakheel said late last year that it is revisiting its plans for the island. Watch this space.

Agri Hub by URB

Dubai’s tourism attractions come in all shapes and sizes, but this one is a little bit different.

Agri Hub will, according to its developer URB, become the biggest of its kind in the world and create 10,000 jobs.

It will provide food security, entertainment and adventure. A few locations are being studied for feasibility, with the exact location yet to be confirmed.

Dubai Urban Tech District

Another from developer URB, this urban technology district will be located on the Creekside of Al Jaddaf district in Dubai.

“The Urban Tech District will be a new global tech hub for urban innovation,” said Baharash Bagherian, chief executive of URB. “With a total of 140,000 square metres of built-up area, it will be the world’s largest urban tech district, thus making Dubai the centre for urban innovation.”

The district will be able to host conferences, seminars, business incubation programmes, training and research sessions, and is set to create 4,000 jobs.

Etihad Rail

A regular inclusion in this annual list, the rail project has made great strides in the past 12 months, with construction gaining pace.

Once complete, the rail network will connect the UAE with the rest of the Gulf. Stage one of the project is operational and is used to transport goods and materials across the Emirates.

The project as of December was 70 per cent complete, with the railway line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai joined up in March and connected to Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah in October.

A launch date for the UAE passenger line and the exact route for this service have not yet been announced but plans to build the first passenger station in Fujairah have been unveiled.