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Dubai Municipality enhances housing flexibility with ‘Home First’ initiative

The initiative introduces revised urban planning regulations to promote family stability, encourage social cohesion, and improve quality of life.

Dubai Municipality enhances housing flexibility with ‘Home First’ initiative
[Source photo: Krishna Prasad/Fast Company Middle East]

Dubai Municipality has launched the “Home First” initiative to enhance housing facilities for Emirati families. The program introduces updated urban planning regulations designed to promote family stability, strengthen social ties, and improve overall quality of life.

Aligned with the UAE’s “Year of Community,” the initiative also supports the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program, reinforcing the country’s commitment to social well-being and sustainable urban development.

“The Home First initiative reinforces Dubai Municipality’s commitment to a flexible and sustainable urban planning framework that supports family well-being and community stability,” stated Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, acting director-general of Dubai Municipality.

The “Home First” initiative updates the Dubai Building Code, offering greater flexibility in residential planning to help Emirati families adapt their homes to evolving social and family needs.

Notable changes include allowing a side family annex to be built before the main villa and permitting the construction of a separate villa for a son within the family property—ensuring privacy while maintaining strong family connections.

Under the “Home First” initiative, families can now fully extend their villas by 100% on the second floor, with setback regulations reduced to 1.5 meters. The updates also allow service annexes to reach up to eight meters over two floors and permit townhouses to be built adjacent to each other across two plots, offering greater flexibility in residential design.

“The initiative aligns with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to position Dubai as the world’s best city for living, housing services, and community well-being,” noted bin Ghalita.

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