Think you can design the park of the future? Dubai Municipality is inviting architects, designers, students and AI enthusiasts to do exactly that, with the help of artificial intelligence.

Under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, Dubai Municipality has launched what it says is the world’s first AI-powered park design challenge, allowing participants to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park using AI-driven tools. The competition also offers a total prize pool of Dh200,000.

Designing future of public parks

The initiative aims to explore how artificial intelligence can support every stage of park design, from analysing the site and understanding user needs to generating concepts, testing ideas and creating visualisations.

While AI will play a central role in the creative process, Dubai Municipality stressed that final design decisions will remain human-led.

Participants are expected to submit a master plan for Al Safa 2 Park, along with supporting data analysis, design concepts and visualisations that demonstrate how AI was used throughout the project.

Open to professionals, students and startups

The competition is open to a wide range of participants, including architects, urban planners, landscape designers, researchers, university students, startups and AI specialists.

Entries should showcase how artificial intelligence was integrated into different stages of the design process, including environmental analysis, spatial planning, user experience and performance optimisation.

Focus on sustainability and community

Designs will be assessed on more than just creativity.

Dubai Municipality is looking for practical proposals that improve sustainability, accessibility, wellbeing, inclusivity and social interaction while creating vibrant public spaces that enhance residents’ quality of life.

A panel of government officials and international experts will evaluate the submissions, with members of the public also getting the opportunity to help choose the winning designs.

Dh200,000 prize pool

The competition offers cash prizes for the top three entries:

• First prize: Dh100,000
• Second prize: Dh65,000
• Third prize: Dh35,000

Applications are open until August 15, through Dubai Municipality’s official competition platform (https://aipark.dm.gov.ae/ai-competition).

The initiative reflects Dubai’s wider ambition to position itself as a global leader in AI, innovation and smart urban development by combining emerging technologies with human creativity to shape the cities of the future.

Motorists travelling through Sharjah’s industrial district should prepare for temporary road closures over the next two months.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has announced a traffic diversion between Industrial Area 12 and Industrial Area 13 as part of road maintenance and infrastructure upgrade works to improve traffic flow and enhance the emirate’s road network.

The diversion will be in place from Tuesday, June 30, until Sunday, August 30, with drivers required to use the approved alternative routes during construction.

SRTA said the project is designed to improve the efficiency of the road network and ease traffic movement in the area once the works are completed.

The authority has urged motorists to follow the designated diversion routes, obey traffic signs and adhere to road safety instructions to help ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise delays.

Drivers travelling through the area are advised to plan their journeys and allow extra travel time, particularly during peak hours.

Travellers flying between Iran and the UAE will soon have another option, with direct flights between Tehran and Dubai set to resume on Monday after months of disruption.

The reopening of the route marks a significant step towards restoring air connectivity between the two countries, following a period of conflict that led to widespread flight suspensions across the region.

According to Iranian state media, the necessary arrangements have been completed to restart services from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport to Dubai.

Tickets already on sale

Bookings for the resumed service are already available, with Iranian carrier Sepehran Airlines offering tickets for its Monday morning flight departing Tehran at 10:40am local time and arriving in Dubai later that day.

The resumed route is expected to benefit thousands of travellers, including business passengers, tourists and members of the Iranian community living in the UAE.

Flights return as regional tensions ease

The restart comes as the security situation in the region shows signs of improvement.

A ceasefire has largely held, while diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran are continuing as both sides work towards a longer-term agreement aimed at reducing tensions.

The improving security outlook has prompted several airlines to gradually restore services across the Middle East, although some carriers continue to adjust schedules as the situation evolves.

More travel options for UAE passengers

The return of the Tehran-Dubai service is expected to make travel easier for passengers commuting between the two countries, particularly during the busy summer travel season.

More airlines are likely to continue reviewing and restoring suspended routes as regional stability improves and demand for travel returns.