Dubai Launches AI Challenge to Redesign Al Safa 2 Park as a Future-Ready Green Space
By Heba
Dubai Municipality has launched a global AI-powered design challenge inviting innovators to reimagine **Al Safa 2 Park** using artificial intelligence.
The initiative, launched under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to use advanced technology, urban design and community participation to shape the future of parks and public spaces in Dubai.
The challenge is being described as the world’s first AI-powered park design competition and offers a total prize pool of **AED 200,000**.
## What is the Al Safa 2 Park AI design challenge?
The competition invites designers, urban planners, architects, landscape specialists, students, researchers, startups and AI innovators to create new design concepts for Al Safa 2 Park.
Participants are expected to use artificial intelligence throughout the design process — from studying the site and understanding user behaviour to developing concepts, testing different layouts and creating visualisations.
The final goal is not only to create a futuristic park, but to design a practical, sustainable and community-focused public space.
## Why Al Safa 2 Park is being redesigned with AI
Dubai Municipality says the challenge is part of its wider effort to use advanced technologies in urban planning and public-space development.
AI tools can help designers analyse climate, shade, movement patterns, user needs, accessibility, comfort and sustainability.
This means future parks can be planned with better insight into how people actually use them.
For Al Safa 2 Park, the aim is to create a design that improves wellbeing, accessibility, social interaction and quality of life while keeping the final decision-making process human-led.
## What participants need to submit
Participants must submit a fully integrated master plan for Al Safa 2 Park.
The proposal should include data analysis, visualisations, detailed drawings, design plans and a clear explanation of how AI tools were used during the design process.
Dubai Municipality is looking for concepts that are creative but also implementable.
Designs should demonstrate how AI supported practical decisions such as spatial planning, environmental response, shade optimisation, user experience, sustainability and accessibility.
## Who can take part?
The competition is open to a wide range of participants.
Eligible groups include professionals in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and public-space design.
Undergraduate students, master’s and PhD candidates, researchers, startups, artificial intelligence specialists and technology innovators can also participate.
This makes the challenge not only a design competition, but also a platform for collaboration between creative, technical and academic communities.
## Prize money for winners
The challenge carries a total prize fund of **AED 200,000**.
The first-place winner will receive **AED 100,000**.
The second-place winner will receive **AED 65,000**.
The third-place winner will receive **AED 35,000**.
The prize structure is designed to recognise ideas that have the potential to support real-world public-space development in Dubai.
## Submission deadline
Applications are open through the official Dubai Municipality AI Park competition platform until **August 15, 2026**.
Participants should review the full scope, terms and conditions before submitting their proposals.
## How winners will be selected
Entries will be evaluated by a judging panel that includes Dubai Government leaders and local and international experts in design, architecture, artificial intelligence and future city planning.
Submissions will be assessed based on the strength of the AI-integrated design approach, spatial intelligence, feasibility, sustainability, inclusivity, human-centred experience and clarity of design narrative.
Shortlisted designs will also involve community participation, allowing residents to take part in selecting the winning entries.
## AI will support human creativity, not replace it
Dubai Municipality has emphasised that artificial intelligence is being used as a tool to expand creativity and improve decision-making.
AI can help designers explore multiple ideas quickly, study environmental performance, test layouts and create visuals.
However, the final design is still expected to be human-led, practical and centred around real community needs.
This approach reflects Dubai’s growing focus on combining technology with liveability.
## What the future park could include
Although the final design will depend on the winning proposal, the challenge encourages ideas that improve comfort, accessibility, social connection and sustainability.
Possible focus areas may include shaded walking paths, climate-responsive landscaping, smarter seating areas, play zones, community gathering spaces, inclusive facilities, better lighting, water-efficient planting and improved movement through the park.
The redesign could also explore how technology can make public spaces more responsive to residents’ needs.
## Why this matters for Dubai
Dubai has been investing heavily in quality-of-life projects, smart infrastructure and urban innovation.
Parks are an important part of this vision because they provide green space, support active lifestyles and create places for families and communities to connect.
By using AI in the design process, Dubai is testing a new model for how public spaces can be planned in the future.
The Al Safa 2 Park challenge could become a blueprint for smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive parks across the city.
## Why this matters for residents
For residents, the project is about more than technology.
A better-designed park can improve daily life by providing more shade, safer walking areas, inclusive play spaces, comfortable seating and places for social interaction.
If successful, the redesign could make Al Safa 2 Park a more useful and enjoyable public space for families, children, fitness users, elderly residents and people of determination.
It also gives the community a role in shaping the places they use every day.
## Quick facts
Project: AI-powered design challenge to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park.
Launched by: Dubai Municipality.
Under the directives of: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Prize pool: AED 200,000.
First prize: AED 100,000.
Second prize: AED 65,000.
Third prize: AED 35,000.
Submission deadline: August 15, 2026.
Open to: Designers, urban planners, students, researchers, startups and AI innovators.
Focus areas: Sustainability, accessibility, wellbeing, social interaction, design innovation and quality of life.
## Source Credits
Information source/resource owners: Dubai Municipality, Government of Dubai Media Office, Khaleej Times, Gulf News and Dubai Public Parks.
## Image Credits
Image credit/resource owners: Visit Dubai, Dubai Public Parks, Gulf News, Travel Taste Discover and the respective park image owners.