Dubai Municipality signed an MoU with Shenzhen’s UPDIS to boost smart, sustainable urban planning through international collaboration.
DUBAI: Dubai Municipality has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Urban Planning and Design Institute of Shenzhen (UPDIS) to deepen collaboration in urban innovation and smart city design. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2026.
The MoU creates a framework for joint work in future-focused planning, sustainable infrastructure, low-carbon development, and smart urban systems. Both parties will collaborate on key areas such as transit-oriented development, sponge city concepts, integrated infrastructure, and advanced ICT systems.
The partnership follows a 2025 Dubai delegation visit to Shenzhen, during which both cities identified shared goals in sustainable urbanism and digital transformation. The two cities will now jointly explore innovative planning approaches that draw on global best practices and local needs.
Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, described the agreement as a strategic step to enhance urban resilience, stating: “This collaboration strengthens our ability to build smart, sustainable, and people-centred urban environments.”
Yu Lu, President of UPDIS, noted the similarities between Dubai and Shenzhen as rapidly developed innovation hubs, saying: “This MoU is a strategic framework for sustained cooperation in city planning, smart mobility, and urban regeneration.”
The agreement also covers applied research, AI-driven planning, and big data-based spatial analysis. Regular joint reviews will ensure alignment with evolving priorities, creating a dynamic partnership adaptable to future challenges.
The cooperation supports Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan and its ambition to become a global model for smart, sustainable city development. By working with Shenzhen’s top planning institute, Dubai continues to position itself at the forefront of international urban governance.
