This report is about the Social Audit of Dubai

Masterplan 2040. This maps out a

comprehensive plan for a sustainable urban
development in Dubai.

Social Audit
Dubai Master Plan 2040

Submitted By: Abdul Rauf (F2019214015)

Submitted To: PLNR. Mutahir AWAN

Department of City and Regional Planning

School of Architecture and Planning
University of Management & Technology, Lahore
Table of Contents
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Keywords: ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction of Project ............................................................................................................................ 1
Social Audit ............................................................................................................................................ 1
Social Audit Process ........................................................................................................................... 2
Objects of Project .................................................................................................................................... 2
Basic Services Provide ........................................................................................................................... 2
Enhanced quality of life ...................................................................................................................... 2
Five Urban Centers ............................................................................................................................. 3
Equitable Access to Facilities ............................................................................................................. 3
Growth Rooted in Sustainability ......................................................................................................... 3
Stake Holders .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Beneficiaries ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Elected Representatives ...................................................................................................................... 4
Officials of Local Body ...................................................................................................................... 4
Civil Society Organizations ................................................................................................................ 4
Media and Funding Agencies ............................................................................................................. 5
Identify Key issues and Data Collection ................................................................................................. 5
Key Issues ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Secondary Data ................................................................................................................................... 5
Primary Data ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Social Audit Findings and Verification ................................................................................................... 5
Findings .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Verification ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Approval Authority ................................................................................................................................. 6
References ............................................................................................................................................... 7

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 Abstract
Social Audit is a process in which, details of resource, both financial and non-financial, used
by public agencies for development initiatives are shared with the people, often through a
public platforms. Social Audits allow people to enforce accountability and transparency,
providing the ultimate users an opportunity to scrutinize development initiatives. In this study
we select the master plan of Dubai 2040 for social auditing. This master plan focuses on
enhancing people’s happiness and quality of life and reinforcing Dubai as a global destination
for citizens, residents and visitors over the next 20 years. The objectives of Dubai 2040 Master
Plan are to upgrade Dubai’s urban areas and to develop five new centers in Dubai master plan
2040 to enhance the quality of life, to provide better community development and make the
Dubai city carbon free city.

Keywords: Dubai Master Plan, Social Auditing, Objectives and Verification.

Introduction of Project
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan maps out a comprehensive plan for a sustainable urban
development in Dubai. It focuses on enhancing people’s happiness and quality of life and
reinforcing Dubai as a global destination for citizens, residents and visitors over the next 20
years. The plan has a strategic structural layout, integrating all urban development master plans
in the emirate and aligned it with Dubai’s strategic economic priorities and the needs of the
future.
Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan is the
seventh development plan for the
emirate since 1960. Between 1960
and 2020, the population of Dubai
has multiplied 80 times from 40,000
in 1960 to 3.3 million while the urban
and built area of the emirate
increased 170-fold from 3.2 square
km. (U.AE, 2022)
The Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 draws inspiration from international best practices to create
conditions for sustainable prosperity. It aims to create a more inclusive environment that meets
the needs of the city’s diverse population and enables people to realize their creative and
innovative potential.

Social Audit
A social audit is a way of measuring, understanding, reporting and ultimately improving an
organization’s social and ethical performance. A social audit helps to narrow gaps between
vision/goal and reality, between efficiency and effectiveness. It is a technique to understand,
measure, verify, report on and to improve the social performance of the organization. (Training
Module on Social Audit, 2003)

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Social Audit Process
Social Audit process include the several points to review the planning of cities as:
 Objects (Asses the quality of infrastructure creates)
 Asses the Basic services provide (Satisfaction of the Beneficial’s on the benefits
provided)
 Stake Holders (Beneficial’s, Elected Representatives, Officials of Local Body, Civil
Society Organizations, Media and Funding Agencies)
 Identify Key issues and Data Collection (Primary Data, Secondary Data)
 Social Audit Findings and Verification (Field Visit for Verification, Public
Meeting byStake Holders)


Objects of Project
The key objectives of Dubai 2040
Urban Master Plan are to upgrade
Dubai’s urban areas: Deira and Bur
Dubai, Downtown and Business Bay,
Dubai Marina and JBR, and two new
centers - Expo 2020 Centre and Dubai
Silicon Oasis Centre. To improve the
efficiency of resource utilization. To
develop vibrant, healthy and inclusive
communities and double green and
leisure areas to provide a healthy environment to residents and visitors. To provide sustainable
and flexible means of mobility. To foster greater economic activity and attract foreign
investments to new sectors. To enhance environmental sustainability. To safeguard the
emirate’s cultural and urban heritage and strengthen citizens’ attachment to older
neighborhoods. To develop a comprehensive legislation and plan a governance model to
support sustainable development and growth.

Basic Services Provide

Enhanced quality of life
The Plan envisages upgrading Dubai’s urban
areas, with development mainly focused on five
key centers. Some of the key priorities include
improving the efficiency of resource utilization,
developing vibrant, healthy and inclusive
communities, and doubling green and leisure
areas as well as public parks to provide a healthy
environment for residents and visitors.
The new Master Plan also seeks to provide
sustainable and flexible means of mobility as
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well a foster greater economic activity and attract foreign investments to new sectors. Other
objectives include enhancing environmental sustainability, safeguarding the emirate’s cultural
and urban heritage and developing a comprehensive legislation and planning governance
model. (ZAWYA By REFINITIV, 2022)

Five Urban Centers

The Dubai Urban Master Plan is
focused on development and
investment in five main urban centers
(three existing and two new centers)
that support growth of economic
sectors and increased job opportunities,
in addition to providing a wide range of
lifestyle facilities that cater to the needs
of all sections of the population.

Equitable Access to Facilities

The new Master Plan has defined an integrated approach to the development of the urban
centers by providing equitable access to facilities, services and opportunities across the city for
all residents.
According to recent studies, the number of Dubai residents is expected to increase from 3.3
million in 2020 to 5.8 million by 2040, while the day-time population is set to increase from
4.5 million in 2020 to 7.8 million in 2040. The Master Plan focuses on utilizing available spaces
within the limits of the current city and concentrating development in existing urban areas.
Easily accessible integrated service centers will be established across Dubai to ensure that the
needs of all sections of the population are catered to. The plan seeks to raise the quality of life
of the city while increasing population densities around key mass transit stations.

Growth Rooted in Sustainability

Under the Plan, green and recreational spaces and areas dedicated to public parks will double
in size to serve the growing number of number of residents and visitors. Nature reserves and
rural natural areas will constitute
60% of the emirate’s total area.
Several green corridors will be
established to link the service
areas, residential areas and
workplaces, facilitate the
movement of pedestrians,
bicycles, and sustainable mobility
means across the city, in
coordination with developers and
government departments. The

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land area used for hotels and tourist activities will increase by 134%, while that used for
commercial activities will increase to 168 square kilometers. Dubai will continue to be a global
hub for innovative start-ups, international corporations, and strategic investments. The Master
Plan will also increase the land area allocated to education and health facilities by 25%, while
the length of public beaches will increase by as much as 400% in 2040 to increase the quality
of life for residents and visitors.
The new Plan will raise the efficiency of development and promote the optimal utilization of
the infrastructure by developing vacant urban spaces. The Master Plan aims to encourage mass
transit use, walking, cycling and the use of flexible means of transportation, besides developing
a comprehensive planning database to support decision-making and enhance transparency.
(ZAWYA By REFINITIV, 2022)

Stake Holders
Beneficiaries
Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors will be key beneficiaries of the newly launched Dubai
2040 Master Plan, which aims to focus on enhancing quality of life and the visitor experience.
(Business Traveller, 2021)

Elected Representatives
Dubai Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan that
maps out a comprehensive future map for sustainable urban development in the city. Aligned
with the UAE’s vision for the next 50 years, the Plan is focused on enhancing people’s
happiness and quality of life. (Govt. of Dubai, 2021)

Officials of Local Body

Mattar Al Tayer, Chair of Dubai Urban Plan 2040 Higher Committee, and Director General
and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority
(RTA), explained the final deliverables of the plan. Some of the key priorities include
improving the efficiency of resource utilization; developing vibrant, healthy and inclusive
communities; and doubling green and leisure areas as well as public parks to provide a healthy
environment for residents and visitors. (Khaleej Times, 2021)

Civil Society Organizations

The civil society organizations involved in this project to maintain the sustainability
requirements. The Dubai Municipality earned an innovation prize this year for the world’s
largest 3D printed structure. The Dubai 2040 Plan will now contain a variety of intriguing new
concepts, including the reconstruction of Dubai’s urban areas like Deira and Bur Dubai, as well
as Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). (BINAYAH, 2021)

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Media and Funding Agencies
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently participated in the panel discussion held by the
Indonesian government under the theme 'Quality Infrastructure Investment for Sustainable and
Inclusive Growth' at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ministers, senior officials, decision makers,
entrepreneurs, green economy investors, credit rating agencies and specialists in financial and
economic affairs from all around the world participated in the discussion.
His Excellency stressed on the UAE's commitment to developing sustainable infrastructure by
establishing long-term partnerships between the public and private sectors on significant
infrastructure projects such as Abu Dhabi's Masdar City. His Excellency added: “The UAE has
also launched the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the UAE Green Agenda 2015-2030,
which is a road map to achieve the objectives of the UAE Green Growth Strategy. This strategy
aims to transform the national economy into a green, low-carbon, modern technology,
innovation-and-knowledge-based economy." (UAE Ministery of Finance, 2022)

Identify Key issues and Data Collection

Key Issues
 Invasive Species
 Carbon Footprints
 Limited Water Resources
 Overfishing, Waste Generation
 Air Pollution and Land Degradation
 Desertification are posing an environmental threat to the UAE. (U.AE, 2021)

Secondary Data
The secondary data is collected information from different offices like, Transportation
department, civil societies, representatives of NGOs or municipal offices etc. These included
the Town Assessor, Community Development Office, the housing authorities of Dubai, the
offices with jurisdiction over infrastructure etc.

Primary Data
The primary data was collected directly from the people of that community by performing some
socio surveys and by awareness of master plan among them.

Social Audit Findings and Verification

Findings
Dubai’s population expect to jump to about 5.8 million by the year 2040. Currently, the city in
the United Arab Emirates has a population of 3.3 million people. In 2021, the Dubai Urban
Master Plan 2040 laid the groundwork for the city’s sustainable growth over the next 20 years.

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Verification
To verify the data there are two major points as:
 Site visit
 Stakeholder’s Public meetings
The Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 draws inspiration from international best practices to create
conditions for sustainable prosperity. It aims to create a more inclusive environment that meets
the needs of the city’s diverse population and enables people to realize their creative and
innovative potential. Dubai Municipality or DM is one of the main authorities that holds the
regulatory services for developmental projects within the city including the recent Dubai 2040
Master Plan.

Approval Authority
Dubai Municipality approval is one of the most important requirements to start a
developmental project in the city. DM Dubai has been consistent with its approval regulations
in order to set standards of innovation for high-quality projects that will benefit not only the
government but the whole community. The results of the journey to innovation of the city have
proven the wide range of capabilities of DM approval and other relevant authorities in giving
out the highest standard of project approvals to fulfill the government’s vision. The competence
of Dubai approval authorities definitely creates a huge impact on the city’s future endeavors
and goals.
Dubai Municipality or DM is one of the main authorities that holds the regulatory services for
developmental projects within the city including the recent Dubai 2040 Master Plan. With the
vision of the Master Plan to cater sustainable developments in five major urban areas of the
city which are mostly under the jurisdiction of Dubai Municipality approval authority gives a
huge responsibility to DM Dubai to raise their services to a higher level. It has been their
objective to provide the highest standard of public services through innovation for many years.
And with this futuristic goal, it is certain that it will set standards that will upgrade every project
into the best it could be, focusing on sustainability. (Dubai Approval Team, 2021)

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 References
BINAYAH. (2021, 09). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from binayah.com:
https://www.binayah.com/master-plan-2040-dubai-the-best-city-in-the-world-to-live-
in/#:~:text=The%20Dubai%20Municipality%20earned%20an,Jumeirah%20Beach%2
0Residences%20(JBR).
Business Traveller. (2021, 03 07). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from businesstraveller.com:
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/03/17/tourism-to-benefit-
from-dubais-2040-urban-master-plan/
Dubai Approval Team. (2021, 03 20). Retrieved 06 20, 2022, from dubaiaprovals.com:
https://www.dubaiapprovals.com/blog/dm-approval-authority-for-dubai-2040-master-
plan#:~:text=Dubai%20Municipality%20or%20DM%20is,recent%20Dubai%202040
%20Master%20Plan.
Govt. of Dubai. (2021, 03 13). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from mediaoffice.ae:
https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2021/March/13-
03/mohammed%20bin%20rashid
Khaleej Times. (2021, 03 13). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from khaleejtimes.com:
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/government/dubai-plan-2040-5-areas-to-see-massive-
development
Training Module on Social Audit. (2003). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from fao.ord:
https://www.fao.org/3/ad346e/ad346e09.htm
U.AE. (2021). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from u.ae: https://u.ae/en/information-and-
services/environment-and-energy/environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
U.AE. (2022). Retrieved from u.ae: https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-
awards/local-governments-strategies-and-plans/dubai-2040-urban-master-plan
UAE Ministery of Finance. (2022, 03 29). Retrieved 06 19, 2022, from mof.gov.ae:
https://www.mof.gov.ae/en/media/materials/News/Pages/2932022.aspx
ZAWYA By REFINITIV. (2022). Retrieved from zawya.com: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-
release/dubai-launches-its-2040-urban-master-plan-aujhcwb1