Dubai-based urban planning firm URB has unveiled an ambitious project to set new standards for coastal regeneration. The Dubai Mangroves initiative plans to plant 100 million mangrove trees along a 72-kilometer stretch, enhancing Dubai’s coastline through a blend of ecological preservation and urban development.
Aligned with the Dubai 2040 Master Plan, this project focuses on urban resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable planning. Currently in its research phase, it includes six pilot design studies to showcase how infrastructure can harmonize with mangrove restoration, offering ecological, recreational, and aesthetic benefits.
Known for their carbon sequestration capabilities, mangroves are central to this initiative. Each tree can absorb 12.3 kg of CO2 annually, allowing the project to sequester 1.23 million tonnes of CO2 per year—equivalent to the emissions of over 260,000 gasoline-powered cars.
URB CEO Baharash Bagherian emphasized the project’s global significance: “Dubai Mangroves is a testament to how urban and environmental innovation can work in harmony, setting a global standard for balancing ecological preservation with urban growth.”
The project also includes educational resources like the Mangrove Visitor Hub, Botanical Museum, and Nature Reserve Conservation Center to engage and educate the public on the importance of mangroves and broader environmental issues.