Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties on Thursday announced plans for a landmark Dh200 billion master-planned development that it says will redefine urban living in the emirate. Spanning more than 4.5 million square metres of gross floor area, the project is expected to accommodate nearly 150,000 residents and become one of the largest mixed-use communities ever undertaken by the company.

The master development will feature a blend of residential towers, ultra-luxury villas and mansions, Grade-A office spaces, retail destinations, hospitality offerings, and a wide range of civic and cultural amenities.

While Emaar did not disclose the location of the project, the number of residential units, or a timeline for sales launches, the developer described it as a “city within a city” and one of its most ambitious undertakings to date.

“What we are about to reveal is our most extraordinary dream yet: a place where the finest architecture, the most immersive landscapes and the most advanced thinking about how people live come together in one magnificent vision,” said Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar Properties.

“This development reflects our deep confidence in the future of the UAE. This is Emaar at its most ambitious, and Dubai at its most inspiring,” he added.

Iconic Views and Luxury Living

According to Emaar, the residential towers will offer panoramic views of some of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks, including Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.

At the heart of the luxury offering will be an exclusive gated villa enclave featuring expansive five- and six-bedroom residences as well as signature mansions. The homes will be complemented by private gardens, cascading water features and resort-style amenities.

Designed Around the 20-Minute City Concept

The masterplan will be connected to Dubai’s metro network and developed around the principles of the “20-minute city”, enabling residents to access essential services and daily conveniences within a short walk.

The community will integrate smart mobility infrastructure, intelligent building systems and advanced digital connectivity. Features will include EV-friendly pathways, app-based community management and data-driven public services.

Schools, healthcare facilities, mosques, cultural venues and retail centres will be strategically located within walking distance of residential neighbourhoods.

Extensive Green and Blue Spaces

A key feature of the project will be its expansive open spaces, including parks, swimmable lagoons, lakes, linear gardens and water streams woven throughout the community via shaded walkways and dedicated cycling tracks.

A central district park will serve as the development’s social and recreational hub, offering sports courts, event lawns, splash parks, beach areas and outdoor wellness facilities.

Five Distinct Lifestyle Zones

The masterplan will be organised into five character-driven districts, each designed with a unique identity and lifestyle proposition.

Among them will be a Business Hub catering to corporate and entrepreneurial activity, an Urban District focused on vibrant city living, a Young Families Cluster designed for active and creative lifestyles, and a Family Living Zone centred on community-oriented residential experiences.

Emaar said further details, including the project’s location and launch timeline, will be announced at a later stage.

British car rental technology platform Final Rentals has announced a strategic partnership with AUTORENT, one of the Gulf region’s largest vehicle rental and leasing operators, as it accelerates expansion across the GCC.

The agreement gives Final Rentals access to AUTORENT’s fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, significantly strengthening the company’s regional presence.

The move marks a homecoming of sorts for Final Rentals, which launched its first operations in the UAE in 2021 before growing into a global platform serving customers in more than 65 countries.

The company’s growth has been rapid. Annual bookings surged from just 1,900 in 2021 to more than 139,000 in 2025. Momentum has continued this year, with 148,065 bookings recorded in the first five months of 2026 alone, already surpassing its full-year 2024 performance.

“The UAE is where Final Rentals started,” said CEO Ammar Akhtar.

“Many of the lessons that shaped our technology and business model were learned here. Expanding our Gulf operations is both a strategic and symbolic step as we return with a much larger international network and greater scale.”

Founded in Wales in 2016, Final Rentals operates a digital marketplace that connects travellers with local vehicle rental providers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

For AUTORENT, the partnership supports its digital transformation ambitions by enhancing online booking capabilities and improving customer access to its vehicle network across the region.

The announcement comes as economic ties between the UK and Gulf countries continue to strengthen, with discussions ongoing around a proposed UK-GCC free trade agreement aimed at boosting trade and investment.

Industry observers say the Gulf remains an attractive destination for international technology companies due to its rapidly growing digital economy, advanced infrastructure and strategic position linking Europe, Asia and Africa.

The UAE is preparing to make work permit applications even faster and simpler as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launches a new phase of labour market reforms.

As part of the initiative, MoHRE has opened a public consultation period until July 30, inviting employers, employees and members of the public to share feedback on existing work permit services and suggest improvements.

The ministry said the latest reforms will focus on simplifying procedures, reducing administrative requirements and expanding digital services to improve customer experience and speed up transaction processing.

Faster, simpler work permit services

According to MoHRE, the planned upgrades are designed to support the UAE’s wider Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by making work permit services more efficient and user-friendly.

The ministry recently removed the requirement for supporting documents across several permit categories and reduced mandatory application fields by up to 97 per cent, significantly cutting processing times.

Officials say the next phase will build on those changes by redesigning permit procedures and increasing the use of digital channels.

13 types of work permits

MoHRE currently issues 13 different work permits tailored to various employment arrangements, including:

• Recruitment permits for workers hired from outside the UAE
• Transfer work permits
• Family-sponsored resident work permits
• Part-time work permits
• Temporary and mission work permits
• Freelance work permits
• Golden Visa holder work permits
• Student training and employment permits
• Juvenile work permits for individuals aged 15 to 18
• UAE and GCC national work permits

The ministry said the reforms are aimed at supporting private-sector growth, protecting workers’ rights and strengthening the UAE’s position as a competitive global labour market.

Public feedback open until July 30

Residents, employers and businesses can submit suggestions through MoHRE’s electronic consultation platform before July 30.

The ministry said public feedback will help shape future enhancements and support the development of faster, more flexible and fully digital government services aligned with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.