Melbourne Architect Shortlisted in Dubai Urban Design Competition

An international design competition seeking innovative ideas to transform Dubai’s public spaces has shortlisted a Melbourne-based architect among its top 100 contenders. The competition, organised by RTA and Buildner, invited entrants to reimagine the emirate’s urban landscape through the creation of human-scale urban elements.

Participants were challenged to design small-scale infrastructures—including pedestrian and cycle bridges, street furniture, shading structures, wayfinding systems, lighting, and other public amenities—for deployment across Dubai’s seven urban zones.

Representing Cox Architecture, Hamza Khan, a registered architect based in Melbourne, crafted a proposal closely aligned with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which places emphasis on liveability, wellbeing, and reducing car dependency. At the heart of Khan’s vision is an ambitious transformation of the city’s iconic Sheikh Zayed Road, a 14-lane highway, into what he calls a “green artery lined with palm trees, flowing water and thriving public spaces.”

In his concept, the existing highway would be repositioned underground, making way for a central canal dedicated to public transport. Flanking the canal would be a network of water-fed shading structures, engineered to convert canal water into cooling mist for pedestrian comfort. Elevated expressways for electric bikes and scooters would hover above, ensuring smooth, eco-friendly mobility throughout the corridor.

A series of new public plazas along this canal would serve as social and cultural hubs, reinforcing the role of communal space in urban life.

According to Hamza Khan, the vision is, quote:
“rooted in small-scale tactical urbanism – cities that are not just seen, but felt.”

The final results of the Dubai Urban Elements competition will be unveiled on 4 November, with the grand prize of €250,000 awarded to the winning design.

— Team V.DIR-EM-UAE