DUBAI: Dubai Municipality has reported a significant 20 percent year-on-year growth in the construction sector, with over 30,000 building permit applications processed in the first half of 2025. The licensed built-up area has now exceeded 5.5 million square metres, all greenlit for execution, reflecting a strong uptick in urban development activity.
In a notable milestone, July 2025 recorded a monthly high of one million square metres of licensed construction space, underlining sustained investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate and economic climate. According to officials, 45 percent of the newly approved space is allocated to multi-storey commercial and investment projects, signalling a robust appetite for business infrastructure.
Residential villas made up 40 percent of the total licensed space, accounting for more than two million square metres, while industrial and public projects filled the remaining 15 percent. This diverse mix highlights a balanced growth strategy across the Emirate’s construction priorities.
Eng. Mariam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency, noted that the figures affirm Dubai’s status as a global hub for smart and sustainable construction. “By streamlining regulatory processes and embracing innovation, we are building a future-ready city,” she said.
The Build in Dubai digital platform continues to play a key role in this momentum, enhancing submission quality, automating audits, and reducing errors. The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has further strengthened efficiency across the approval process.
Dubai Municipality also upholds rigorous standards through the enforcement of the Dubai Building Code and green regulations, ensuring accessibility and sustainability. Weekly training by Dubai Municipality Academy helps engineers stay ahead, equipping them with essential technical and digital skills.
These developments collectively reflect Dubai’s vision to become the world’s most liveable and forward-thinking city, driven by a sustainable and digitally enabled construction ecosystem.
