Sheikh Hamdan launches Emirati neighbourhood drive in Dubai

Project launched to bring people together and strengthen social ties

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, described social connection as part of Emirati heritage. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, on Monday launched an Emirati neighbourhood initiative in the emirate.

It is hoped the Hewi Dubai scheme will “bring people together, strengthen social ties and create safe, welcoming environments for community life”, Sheikh Hamdan said.

He added that the first site for this project will be called Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4, a collaboration between Dubai Municipality and Dubai Future Foundation. The project will be completed within a year.

“Social connection is part of our heritage, a timeless value we must preserve so future generations can experience the same strong sense of community,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote on X.

“Community bonds are among the core values Emirati families are raised on,” he added. “We must pass on these values to future generations and design public spaces that bring neighbours together, where families can gather, elders can meet, and children can create endearing memories in a safe and welcoming environment.

“These new spaces will be anything but conventional. They are intended as vibrant extensions of our cultural identity and future aspirations, reflecting our values and redefining what public spaces mean to our city.”

What are the plans?

The Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4 site, between a mosque and a residential neighbourhood, was selected because it is considered pedestrian-friendly.

There will be a shaded area near the mosque, known as Al Decha, which is designed to offer a retreat where elderly Emiratis can meet.

A flexible indoor-outdoor space called Al Saaha has also been designed to accommodate community events, workshops and celebrations. For families, there will be a children's play zone flanked by a seating area called Al Yalsa.

Vision for the future

The Hewi Dubai initiative was announced in line with the Year of Community national drive, Sheikh Hamdan said.

Writing in The National in March, Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa, chief executive of Sharjah Sustainable City, said the drive “demonstrated the UAE leadership's commitment to fostering a united, empowered society”.

Vital to this, he said, were transformative changes throughout communities in the Emirates. The Hewi Dubai initiative could be one of the early examples of this.

“By embracing collaborative urban development, the UAE is setting a blueprint for how sustainability and social well-being can go hand in hand,” he wrote.

What is the Year of Community?

Announced in January by President Sheikh Mohamed, 2025 was declared the Year of Community in support of a national drive to promote unity and inclusion across society.

In a post on X, Sheikh Mohamed urged “all those who call the UAE home” to contribute towards “improving your community and ensuring that our nation remains an inspiring model of progress and prosperity”.

Under the slogan Hand in Hand, the national initiative reflects the leadership’s vision to foster a united and empowered community.

“Hand in hand, we will work to strengthen social bonds, foster shared responsibility, and unlock potential for inclusive and sustainable growth,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.

The initiative is being overseen by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed, Deputy Chairwoman of the Presidential Court for National Projects.