Dubai creates quality-of-life office as competition to attract talent heats up

In a bid to rouse would-be expats from their roosts in London, New York and Singapore, Dubai has created a new office dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Middle East’s wealthiest city.

The plan tracks with a growing trend among Gulf economies to prioritize investments in livability as competition for knowledge workers – financiers, tech engineers and healthcare workforces – heats up. Populations are on the rise in cities across the region including Dubai, as well as Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh.  

Under directives from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 was approved on Tuesday with the aim of turning Dubai “into the world’s best city to live in.” 

Encompassing 200 projects and 1,000 live events aimed at drawing stars and sports teams, Dubai will also focus urban plans on residents’ ability to access essential services within a 20-minute journey — a distinction cities like Paris take pride in.

The plans will rely heavily on private sector participation, according to a statement.

Riyadh is undergoing a similar effort, pouring billions of dollars into beautifying the kingdom’s capital with parks, refurbished boulevards and new culture and leisure spaces as society opens up in the long-conservative kingdom.