Dubai’s Future Investment Projects: What You Need to Know
Understand key transport upgrades and how they impact property demand
Explore the major projects shaping Dubai’s next growth cycle and what they mean for property decisions. This guide covers the Al Maktoum Airport expansion, Etihad Rail, the Metro Blue Line, the Dubai Tram extension, Dubai Walk, and the Tasreef stormwater upgrade. Homesphere Real Estate tracks these investments and recommends the strongest projects and locations based on transport connectivity and your goals.If you are looking to buy properties in Dubai, these projects will reshape the city and drive property demand.
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Al Maktoum International Airport Expansion
Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South is being expanded in phases to create a next-generation global hub. Dubai has approved a AED 128 billion expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport that will handle up to 260 million passengers with five parallel runways and around 400 aircraft gates (Time Out, 2025). The government plans to integrate the Etihad Rail and a new Dubai Metro line directly into the airport’s transport hub. The new terminal is planned to become the emirate’s primary hub once fully operational.
Etihad Rail Passenger Network
The Etihad Rail is set to open to passengers in 2026, creating a 1,200 km link across 11 UAE cities. Today, Dubai to Abu Dhabi takes about 1 hour 30 minutes by car or roughly 2 hours by bus. The Etihad Rail is expected to cut that to about 57 minutes, with a Dubai station planned at Jumeirah Golf Estates for easy Metro interchange. Analysts project home prices near stations could rise by up to 30% and rents by around 20% (Gulf News, 2025).
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Dubai Metro Blue Line
Dubai’s AED 20.5 billion Metro Blue Line is under construction at the moment. The 30 km route with 14 stations is scheduled to open in September, 2029. It will run on two branches: one from Al Jaddaf on the Green Line through Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor to International City 1, then onward to International City 2 and 3, Silicon Oasis and Academic City; the other from Centrepoint/Al Rashidiya on the Red Line through Mirdif and Al Warqa to International City 1. There will be nine elevated and five underground stations, with interchanges at Al Jaddaf, Centrepoint and International City 1. The Emaar Properties Station at Dubai Creek Harbour is designed to be the world’s tallest at 74 metres. Parsons is the project management consultant, and early works with traffic diversions have begun. RTA projects about 200,000 daily riders by 2030, rising to roughly 320,000 by 2040 (Time Out, 2025).
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Dubai Tram Expansion
Dubai Tram currently serves Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh. An extension has been studied to add new stations and improve links toward Mall of the Emirates and key hospitality zones. Dubai plans to introduce all-electric, self-driving trackless trams at eight locations, running on virtual tracks that follow painted lanes. According to The National (2024), each three-car unit carries up to 300 passengers and can travel about 100 km per charge. This initiative aligns with an AED 16 billion 2024–2027 roads program to lift capacity and cut travel times, as daytime vehicles reach 3.5 million after a 10% rise in two years. For property investors, these corridors improve access to rail, boost footfall for mixed-use sites and can lift rental demand around stops.
Dubai Walk Master Plan
Dubai has approved the Dubai Walk masterplan to add 6,500 km of pedestrian routes by 2040, including a 2 km elevated, air-conditioned Future Loop linking the Museum of the Future, Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, DIFC and nearby Metro stations. The plan delivers 3,300 km of new paths, renovates 2,300 km of existing walkways by 2040, and adds a further 900 km afterward, with 110 bridges and underpasses plus 30,000 m² of air-conditioned space and 30,000 m² of shaded outdoor space (Deezen, 2024). It prioritizes accessibility and year-round comfort, and aligns with the Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the 20-minute city goal for 2040, which targets 80% of residents reaching amenities within 20 minutes. For investors, direct frontage to these corridors can enhance walkability, support retail shops and strengthen housing demand.
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Tasreef Stormwater Program
Tasreef is a AED 30 billion program to upgrade Dubai’s rainwater drainage network citywide. Approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, it will increase capacity by 700% to more than 20 million cubic meters per day, with a flow rate of 230 cubic meters per second and phased completion by 2033 (Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, 2024). The project builds on drainage works launched in 2019 around Expo Dubai, Al Maktoum International Airport City and Jebel Ali. Dubai Municipality will deliver it using the Middle East’s largest tunnel boring machines and advanced monitoring to improve safety and efficiency. The design aims to cut construction and O&M costs by about 20%, extend network life and enhance resilience. For property investors, stronger infrastructure reduces disruption risk and supports long-term asset performance.
How Homesphere Real Estate helps
Homesphere Real Estate tracks construction milestones and aligns opportunities with your goals. We source units near future Blue Line stations, planned tram corridors, the Etihad Rail interchange and the airport growth zone. Our RERA-certified team has helped hundreds of clients buy their first home and invest confidently in the UAE off-plan market.
Summary and next steps
Dubai’s transport and resilience agenda is investable today. The mega-hub at Al Maktoum International, the Etihad Rail passenger network, the high-speed concept, the Metro Blue Line, tram expansion, Dubai Walk and Tasreef will reshape how residents move and where they live.
At Homesphere Real Estate, we are more than brokers—we are your trusted advisors. As a forward-thinking real estate agency in Dubai, we help clients buy off-plan properties in Dubai with confidence, ensuring access to the best opportunities from the city’s leading developers.
Ready to explore your options? Contact Homesphere Real Estate today to discover Luxury Properties for sale and secure your place in Dubai’s thriving property market.