With AED200,000 In Prizes, Dubai Municipality Unveils The World's First AI-Powered Park Design Challenge

Dubai Municipality, one of Dubai's largest public sector entities, has launched the world's first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered park design challenge that is inviting participants to develop a new vision for the emirate’s Al Safa 2 Park through the use of AI. 

Launched under the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the initiative offers a total prize pool of AED200,000 (US$54,459), and it is open to professionals in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and public space design, as well as undergraduate students, master’s and PhD candidates, researchers, startups, artificial intelligence specialists and technology innovators. While the proposal in the first place will receive AED100,000 (US$27,229), those in the second and third places will be awarded AED65,000 (US$17,699) and AED35,000 (US$9,530) respectively. 

In a statement, HE Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said, “The launch of the world’s first AI-powered park design challenge reflects Dubai’s ambition to lead the future of urban innovation by combining advanced technologies with human-centered design. Under the leadership’s vision, Dubai Municipality continues to develop transformative initiatives that enhance quality of life, strengthen community participation and reimagine public spaces as integrated destinations designed around people and their daily needs.” 

"AI is not replacing human creativity in this challenge,” Bin Ghalita added. “It is being used as a tool to expand possibilities, deepen understanding and support better design decisions. Through this initiative, we aim to attract bold ideas from designers, researchers, students, startups and technology innovators, while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global model for designing smart, sustainable and liveable future cities.” 

Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said, “Parks play a direct role in shaping community wellbeing, social connection, and everyday quality of life. Through this challenge, Dubai Municipality is exploring a new model for public space design, where artificial intelligence helps generate deeper insights into people, place, climate and use, while ensuring that the final outcome remains practical, inclusive, and centered on human experience.” 

 “Al Safa 2 Park provides an opportunity to test how AI can support the design of more responsive, comfortable and sustainable public spaces,” Anwahi continued. “Our focus is on developing a park that is accessible, engaging and meaningful for all ages and abilities, while reflecting the needs of the community and Dubai’s identity as a city of innovation.” 

For this challenge, Dubai Municipality is seeking innovative yet practical concepts that enhance sustainability, accessibility, wellbeing, social interaction, and quality of life at Al Safa 2 Park. Participants are required to submit a comprehensive master plan supported by data analysis, visualizations, detailed drawings, and documentation explaining how AI shaped the proposal. AI may be applied across concept exploration, spatial planning, environmental response, shade and microclimate optimisation, user experience analysis, performance improvements, data-driven planning, and visualisation.  

A judging panel comprising executive leaders from the Government of Dubai, alongside local and international experts in design, architecture, artificial intelligence, and future city planning, will evaluate submissions and shortlist proposals. Submissions will be assessed on the strength of their AI-enabled methodology, spatial intelligence, feasibility, human-centered design, inclusivity, sustainability, the clarity of the design narrative, and their ability to translate data into implementable spatial solutions. The shortlisted concepts will then be put before the public, allowing the community to help select the winning entries as part of Dubai Municipality's approach to involving residents in shaping public spaces. 

Applications are open until August 15, 2026, via this link.