Dubai Launches World’s First AI-Powered Park Design Challenge
Dubai Municipality has launched the world’s first AI-powered park design challenge, inviting innovators from across the globe to redesign Al Safa 2 Park using artificial intelligence. The initiative follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and aims to advance smart urban development through technology and community participation.
Moreover, the competition explores how artificial intelligence can support every stage of park design, including site analysis, user research, concept creation, scenario testing, design optimization, and visualization. However, human designers will make all final design decisions.
The challenge encourages practical and innovative concepts that improve sustainability, accessibility, well-being, social interaction, and overall quality of life. Therefore, participants must submit a comprehensive master plan supported by data analysis, detailed drawings, visualizations, and a clear explanation of how AI tools contributed throughout the design process.
Global competition welcomes professionals and students
The competition is open to urban planners, architects, landscape architects, public space designers, researchers, startups, AI experts, and undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students.
Additionally, participants must demonstrate how artificial intelligence supported concept development, spatial planning, environmental analysis, shade and microclimate optimization, user experience evaluation, performance improvements, data-driven decision-making, and AI-assisted visualization.
Entries will be judged on AI integration, spatial intelligence, feasibility, human-centered design, inclusivity, sustainability, design clarity, and the ability to transform data insights into practical planning solutions.
Furthermore, the competition offers a total prize pool of AED 200,000. The first-place winner will receive AED 100,000, while second and third place will receive AED 65,000 and AED 35,000, respectively.
Public voting to help choose winning designs
A judging panel comprising senior Dubai Government officials and leading local and international experts in architecture, design, artificial intelligence, and future city planning will evaluate submissions and shortlist finalists.
Afterward, the public will participate in selecting the winning designs, reinforcing Dubai Municipality’s commitment to community engagement in shaping future public spaces.
Applications remain open until August 15, 2026. Consequently, Dubai Municipality has invited creatives, designers, architects, and technology specialists worldwide to submit their proposals through the dedicated competition platform.
Ultimately, the initiative aims to establish a global benchmark for AI-powered public space design by combining advanced technology, sustainability, local identity, creativity, and human-centered planning. It also strengthens Dubai’s position as a global leader in urban innovation.
