February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Dubai Marina is a master-planned waterfront community built around a 3.5-kilometre artificial canal that connects to the Persian Gulf. Developed primarily by Emaar Properties beginning in 2003, the district features over 200 residential towers, commercial buildings, luxury hotels, and a comprehensive retail and dining promenade known as Dubai Marina Mall and The Walk at JBR (adjacent). The marina basin accommodates hundreds of private yachts and leisure vessels, making it the centrepiece of Dubai’s recreational boating scene. Dubai Marina is one of the most densely populated residential areas in the emirate, housing an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 residents in a compact, walkable urban environment that contrasts sharply with Dubai’s typical suburban sprawl.

UAE Context

Dubai Marina transformed a formerly barren stretch of coastline between Jebel Ali and the Jumeirah Beach strip into one of the most recognisable urban waterfronts in the world. The district was among the first freehold property zones opened to foreign buyers in Dubai, catalysing a wave of international real estate investment that defined the 2003–2008 property boom. Today, the community functions as a self-contained urban neighbourhood with its own metro stations (DMCC and Dubai Marina on the Red Line), a tram line connecting to Palm Jumeirah, schools, supermarkets, medical clinics, and fitness facilities. Dubai Marina’s property market serves as a benchmark for Dubai real estate values, with per-square-foot prices closely tracked by investors, analysts, and government economic planners. The adjacent Bluewaters Island, home to Ain Dubai (the world’s largest observation wheel), extends the district’s tourism and lifestyle appeal.

Key Data

  • Developer: Emaar Properties (primary), with contributions from Select Group, DAMAC, and other developers
  • Canal length: 3.5 kilometres
  • Residential towers: Over 200
  • Estimated population: 50,000–60,000 residents
  • Property type: Freehold, open to foreign ownership
  • Key attractions: The Walk at JBR, Dubai Marina Mall, Ain Dubai (Bluewaters Island)
  • Transport links: Dubai Metro Red Line (DMCC and Dubai Marina stations), Dubai Tram
  • Marina berths: Capacity for hundreds of yachts and leisure boats

Significance for Vision 2031

Dubai Marina demonstrates the scalability and global appeal of Dubai’s freehold property model, serving as a proof of concept for subsequent master communities across the emirate. The district’s dense, mixed-use urban form supports sustainability objectives by reducing car dependency, and its waterfront lifestyle attracts the international talent and high-net-worth residents targeted by Golden Visa and long-term residency programmes. Continued demand for Dubai Marina properties contributes to real estate transaction volumes, government fee revenues, and the tourism ecosystem that collectively support D33 Agenda economic targets. The district’s ongoing maturation — with infrastructure upgrades, marina expansion, and the completion of adjacent Emaar Beachfront — ensures it remains a flagship destination within Dubai’s urban growth strategy through 2031 and beyond.