Dubai launches world's first AI-powered park design challenge
Dhaka: Dubai Municipality has launched the world's first AI-powered park design challenge, an initiative inviting participants to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park using artificial intelligence. The launch took place on June 28 under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
The challenge forms part of the municipality's efforts to harness advanced technologies, urban design, and community participation to shape the future of parks and public spaces. It explores how AI tools can support site analysis, concept generation, scenario testing, and visualization, while keeping final design decisions human-led.
Organizers aim to develop visionary, implementable concepts that enhance sustainability, accessibility, well-being, and social interaction at the park. Submissions must include a fully integrated master plan with data analysis, visualizations, detailed drawings, and an explanation of how AI tools shaped the design process.
Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said the challenge reflects the emirate's ambition to lead urban innovation by combining advanced technologies with human-centered design and that it reinforces the city's transformative approach to public spaces.
He added that artificial intelligence is not replacing human creativity in the challenge but is being used as a tool to expand possibilities and support better design decisions, while inviting designers, researchers, students, and technology innovators to contribute bold ideas.
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said parks play a direct role in shaping community wellbeing and quality of life, and that the challenge tests how AI can support more responsive and sustainable public spaces.
The challenge is open to professionals in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and public space design, as well as students, researchers, startups, and AI specialists. Participants must demonstrate how AI tools supported analysis, iteration, and decision-making throughout their design process.
This may include concept exploration, spatial planning, environmental response, shade and microclimate optimization, user experience insights, and AI-assisted visualization. Submissions will be judged on the strength of AI integration, spatial feasibility, inclusivity, sustainability, and the ability to translate data into practical outcomes.
The challenge carries a total prize pool of AED 200,000. The first-place winner will receive AED 100,000, the second-place winner AED 65,000, and the third-place winner AED 35,000.
A judging panel comprising executive leaders from the Government of Dubai, along with local and international design and AI experts, will shortlist submissions before inviting the community to help select the winning entries.
Dubai Municipality said the initiative establishes a new model for designing public spaces that integrates AI, sustainability, local identity, and participatory design, further reinforcing the city's position as a global platform for urban innovation.
Creatives and specialists can apply to the challenge through aipark.dm.gov.ae, with applications open until August 15.
