Here are 3 things happening in Dubai right now that didn’t make international headlines. But they probably should have.
55% of Dubai tenants now plan to buy property within the next three years. Last year, that number was 25%.
Something shifted. And it’s not just about real estate. It’s about how Dubai is rethinking traffic, land use, and what a neighborhood even means in 2026.
Table of Contents
Story 1: 55% of Tenants Now Plan to Buy
The first of the 3 things happening in Dubai is a shift in mindset among renters.
Betterhomes just released their Future Living Report 2025. They surveyed over 1,400 Dubai residents. The headline number is hard to ignore.
55% of tenants now plan to buy property within the next one to three years. Last year? 25%.
That’s not a slow shift. That’s a doubling in 12 months.
And this isn’t wishful thinking. 61% of these future buyers say they’ll use mortgages. That signals serious planning, not daydreaming.
What’s Driving This?
Rising rents. The average annual rent in Dubai is now around AED 99,000. And 69% of tenants say they’d consider relocating if rents increase further. Ownership starts looking like a hedge, not a luxury.
Long-term residency confidence. The visa reforms have changed how people think about staying. 59% of respondents plan to remain in Dubai for a decade or more. The average intended stay? 11.2 years.
Real estate as an investment. 36% now see property as their top future investment choice. And 44% of Dubai homeowners say their properties here outperform their investments overseas.
Louis Harding, CEO of Betterhomes, put it this way: “This is more than sentiment. It’s reshaping end-user demand, prompting developers and lenders to evolve with more accessible ownership models.”
I think this isn’t just a housing trend. It’s a mindset shift. People are no longer treating Dubai as a temporary stop. They’re building lives here.
And that changes what the city needs to provide.
Source: Betterhomes Future Living Report 2025
Story 2: The 15-Minute City is Emerging
The second of the 3 things happening in Dubai is about how neighbourhoods actually work.
Dubai is investing billions into what’s being called the largest mobility upgrade in the region’s history. 226 kilometres of new roads. 115 bridges. Multi-level interchanges. Intelligent traffic systems.
But here’s the interesting part.
According to a new analysis from BlackBrick, the most meaningful reduction in commute times isn’t coming from the roads. It’s coming from something else: the rise of neighbourhood business hubs inside residential communities.
People are choosing to live, work, and socialise within a 10- to 15-minute radius.
Five Communities Leading This Shift
BlackBrick identified five communities where this pattern is strongest:
- Expo City Dubai — a walkable district with built-in commute advantage
- Dubai South — an airport-led business city designed around efficiency
- Dubai Hills Estate — a master-planned area delivering centrality without the congestion
- Motor City — increasingly delivering on the promise of a 15-minute work-life
- Dubai Science Park — a specialised ecosystem with clear upward investment momentum
This isn’t about avoiding traffic. It’s about time as a lifestyle choice.
I think the city can build all the roads it wants. But if people are reorganising their lives around shorter commutes and local access, developers and businesses will follow.
The 15-minute city isn’t a government policy here. It’s emerging from behaviour.
Source: BlackBrick Property
Story 3: What Happens When DXB Becomes Available?
The third of the 3 things happening in Dubai might be the biggest one.
DXB, Dubai International Airport, handled over 92 million passengers last year.
But as Dubai shifts its aviation focus to Al Maktoum International in the south, DXB’s future is now an open question.
According to experts at the American University of Sharjah, this is a once-in-a-generation decision.
Dr. Rana Shakaa, a visiting professor of urban planning at AUS, put it this way: “DXB is not just a big piece of infrastructure. It’s part of thousands of personal journeys and Dubai’s urban growth story.”
The Temptation vs. The Opportunity
The temptation is obvious. Prime urban land. A blank canvas. High-density towers and premium returns.
But experts are cautioning against the obvious play.
Dr. James Carlow, Director of the Master of Urban Planning program at AUS, suggests a different approach: integrating DXB into a city-wide green infrastructure network.
Instead of demolishing everything, what if pieces of the site became parks, cultural venues, or mixed-use neighbourhoods with actual character?
There’s already talk of 300,000 new homes by 2028. DXB could be part of that supply without becoming just another tower district.
I think the runways may be closing. But if Dubai gets this right, DXB’s next chapter is just beginning.
Source: American University of Sharjah
The Thread Connecting All Three
So why do these 3 things happening in Dubai matter together?
One word: permanence.
Tenants are buying because they’re staying. Neighbourhoods are being redesigned around shorter commutes. And the city’s most iconic site is being reimagined for the next generation.
Dubai is no longer building for visitors. It’s a building for residents.
That’s the shift. And it’s happening right now.
This article is based on my video essay. Watch the full breakdown on Ideas at Desk on YouTube.
