Dubai Official Explains Why City's Parks, Beaches Keep You Coming Back

2026-02-05 04:21:53

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

He says that every minute detail requires plenty of hard work and research

PUBLISHED: Thu 5 Feb 2026, 12:55 PM

By:
Hind Aldah

Public parks and beaches in Dubai have a unique charm in that they meld well with the rest of the city, with beautiful views of the skyline visible as one sits on the grass or sand.

This is not done so by accident, a Dubai Municipality official explained, adding that every minute detail required plenty of hard work.

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“Behind every swing, there is research that this will make a child happy and that he will keep using it again,” Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, the director general of Dubai Municipality, said.

These public facilities, he said, were created with the intent of "bringing visitors (back) again and again.“We measure success by how people utilise cities and how memories are being created when they use beaches, parks, (etc.),” he added.

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He was speaking on the final day of the World Governments Summit, a three-day global event which brought together figure heads, international organisations, thought leaders, and other notable figures in government and the private sector.

“If we will look at Dubai itself, it has a very magnetic charm or soul that attracts people to be part of the city and to be part of the fabric here,” Ghalita added.

For most, going to a public facility is all about enjoyment and comfort of the infrastructure. However, hours of research and hard work go behind every aspect of a park or beach, which the DM Director General said create added value for a visitor.

First artificial night beach

Although bioluminescent (night) beaches - with light-emitting plankton leaving behind a stunning glow - are aplenty throughout the world, Dubai's is the first that is illuminated with artificial lights.

Equipped with advanced lighting systems, these are especially popular on summer nights, since during the day people scurry to indoor, air-conditioned areas.

However, the Dubai Municipality had to change rules and regulations for it to happen, which Ghalita said was prompted by the number of tourists that come year-round.“The beauty of Dubai is when you come up with a new idea, you change the rules and the benefit of the group,” he said.

On Wednesday, Dubai Municipality revealed plans to expand its green and blue infrastructure, entitled the 2030 Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap which is valued at more than $1.09 billion (Dh4.03 billion).