These days Dubai home hunters are not just looking for great property prices or low rents. They want to move into eco-friendly neighbourhoods with green spaces that offer a rounded, healthy lifestyle.
This growing trend has further strengthened Dubai’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment – as seen in the ambitious Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan – and has led to the creation of some truly aspirational green communities.
Here are five of the best for both families and working professionals to thrive in.
Al Barari
Sitting like a lush Dubailand oasis, the exclusive Al Barari development is tagged as the green heart of Dubai and is also named after the Arabic word for wilderness. Luxurious properties such as The Nest, Ashjar, Seventh Heaven, The Residences and The Reserve sit serenely among verdant forest, landscaped gardens, and freshwater streams. Boasting over 500 varieties of plant life – much of which is spread across six themed gardens in the world’s largest privately owned plant nursery – the care and preservation of the natural world is the focus at Al Barari. Aside from its carefully cultivated flora, it’s also home to a thriving wildlife population, including several species of indigenous animals, birds and fish.
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Travel down Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road towards Sharjah and you arrive at Dubai Silicon Oasis – one of the emirate’s most popular neighbourhoods. Affectionately known as the city within a city, this buzzing residential district of tasteful towers and spacious villas boasts 1.2 million square metres of greenery and 3,500 palm trees producing three to five tons of dates per year, not to mention smart irrigation systems that save over half a million dirhams annually. The lovely flowerbeds around DSO change colour with the seasons ¬– the community also has 4,000 square metres of vertical gardens, 3,000 square metres of green roofs, and 100 square metres of green wall.
Not only is this an innovative, green-focused development, DSO also offers a range of top health, education and leisure services such as schools, universities, hospitals, community centres, shopping complexes, swimming pools and tennis courts. In terms of properties, there are more than 1,600 high-quality villas ranging from three to five bedrooms spread across two areas – Cedre Villas and Semmer Villas. Each of these communities comes with its own facilities and amenities such as cool cafes, quirky restaurants, and relaxing spas. There’s also a popular annual Community Farm initiative that provides DSO residents with 400 plots of land so they can try their hand at sustainable organic farming! A range of spacious, well-designed apartments are also available for lease or purchase that bring benefits such as shaded parking and on-site supermarkets. Notably, DSO is a fantastic place for university students as it boasts the chic new DSOA university residence, which is safe, secure and contains fully furnished rooms to make its young residents feel right at home.
Sustainable City
Launched in 2015 on the Al Qudra Road, Sustainable City is a low-carbon, mixed-use development that covers 45,700 square metres and is now home to almost 3,000 residents. It has rather impressively been named The Happiest Community in the GCC for three years in a row. The construction illustrates its green backbone with the use of eco-friendly materials. Intelligent insulation and structural design means the need for air-conditioning is minimised. As much as 85 per cent of waste is diverted away from landfill and there are subsidies to encourage residents to buy electrics cars. Add to this the fact that half of the energy at Sustainable City is generated by local solar farms and it even supplies energy back to the grid.
The Greens
Enjoying a great location close to Shaikh Zayed Road and within easy reach of Dubai’s hotspots, The Greens is a low-rise community with tropical planting and plenty of verdant areas between its 36 buildings. It has a slow-paced vibe and is popular with dog lovers – there’s even a dog park at the end of street 6. Something of a serene, safe haven, The Greens makes the list for its healthy, holistic approach to community living. The buildings all come with 24-hour security, pools, and gyms, making it perfect for raising happy, healthy youngsters.
Jumeirah Golf Estates
If you want to wake up surrounded by greenery as far as the eye can see, Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) is ideal. Opened in 2009 and set across 1,119 hectares of dazzling green landscapes, this luxurious development comprises 16 unique communities overlooking two of the world’s finest golf courses. It offers a modern golf academy, driving ranges, and impressive leisure and recreational facilities. Yet JGE has also been recognised for its dedication to sustainable practices and efforts to drive community engagement in the annual IAGTO Sustainability Awards. These included introducing electric car ports, hosting complimentary fitness activities such as mass participation yoga events and colleague sports days, and launching a plastic-free agenda to encourage people to seek more ecologically conscious options.
