A New Chapter for Dubai – Jebel Ali Racecourse

In a landmark move set to reshape the fabric of Dubai’s urban future, A.R.M. Holding has announced a dynamic partnership with globally renowned architecture studio BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. Revealed during a signing ceremony attended by His Excellency Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, CEO of A.R.M. Holding, and Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director of BIG, the collaboration will see the development of a ground-breaking five-square-kilometre masterplan surrounding the iconic Jebel Ali Racecourse.

This visionary project, slated to begin construction in early 2026, is anchored in the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The development embraces sustainability, liveability and innovation while honouring the UAE’s rich heritage. The plan is designed to create a vibrant ecosystem that places human connection, cultural identity and wellbeing at its core.

“This partnership with BIG embodies our core values of creativity, integrity and agility,” said H.E. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi. “In a diverse community of over 200 nationalities, we believe in creating spaces that connect people on a deeper level. This masterplan will serve as a bridge, fostering communication, understanding and principles of empathy that are central to our vision of enabling prosperity.”

At the heart of the development lies the legacy of the Jebel Ali Racecourse – a landmark now poised to evolve into a multi-layered urban area. Envisioned as an “archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green,” the site will be reimagined by BIG as a landscape of interconnected communities, each island increasing in density as it converges around a lush central park. This central space will become not only the social heart of the development but a living landscape that threads through neighbourhoods, blurring the lines between nature and urban life.

“Occupying the grounds of Dubai’s historic Jebel Ali Racecourse, this project is an archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green – reimagining the site not as a collection of objects in isolation, but as a living landscape of interconnected communities,” said Bjarke Ingels. “Each island connects to its surrounding neighbourhood, increasing in density as it converges around a lush central park – a social oasis at the heart of the city. But the park doesn’t stop at the centre – it bleeds between the islands, weaving nature through the urban fabric and extending its reach to the wider community. This is not just a new neighbourhood; it’s a new chapter for Dubai – where environmental responsibility and social sustainability become the foundation, not the footnote, of urban development.” With the ambition of having 100 per cent of residents within a five-minute walk to green spaces, social services and workplaces, the development will promote walkability, accessibility and interaction. Passive cooling systems, high-density green areas and health-focused infrastructure aim to support the UAE’s lowest obesity and diabetes rates, with aspirations for the highest life expectancy in the GCC.

The vision is underpinned by four guiding pillars that thread through its design: Modern Living, Community & Culture, Wellness & Lifestyle and Sustainability & Environment. This will include places ranging from flexible homes designed for hybrid work and vibrant public realms, to equestrian facilities that honour the site’s history, to urban farms and community markets that foster resilience and connection.

The cultural dimension of the project is equally pronounced. In preserving the equestrian heritage of the area and prioritising Emirati-first housing, the masterplan roots itself in legacy while looking ahead. Art, education and lifelong learning form key community offerings, alongside next-generation wellness centres and public spaces designed for creativity and interaction.

As Dubai continues to evolve as a global city, this new development underscores its commitment to placing people and planet at the heart of progress. It is a space designed not just to house, but to also nurture communities physically, emotionally and socially.