Abstract

The research explores the feasibility of the 20-minute city concept in the context of Dubai, an idea that was first proposed by Professor Carlos Moreno in 2016. While this model, which is based upon the theory that residents should be able to reach essential services within a certain time (i.e., 15 or 20 minutes), has been adopted globally in various cities across the world, its application within non-Western, high- income, car-dependent settings remains largely unexplored. For this reason, this study analyzes the 20- minute city concept in Dubai s unique context within its sociocultural, climatic, and cultural settings in the city. The central question guiding this study examines the following: How do Dubai s unique cultural aspects influence the feasibility of the 20-minute city concept, considering existing mobility trends, climate conditions, and public perceptions of sustainable transport? In order to answer this question, the study applies a pragmatic mixed methodology approach, which is primarily drawn from secondary data obtained from reputable sources such as Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, Baynaat, and Digital Dubai. Data from these sources, such as the car ownership rates, public transport ridership levels, the Dubai transportation map and satisfaction percentage, are utilized. Additionally, data from published surveys from previous academic studies are integrated, highlighting the gendered norms within mobility, cultural attitudes, and barriers to active mobility. The lack of first-and last-mile connectivity as a barrier to using public transportation is also analyzed, all in relation to the 20-minute city concept. The findings from this study reveal that although Dubai has invested in the public transportation infrastructure, the city s car dependency remains deeply rooted. This is also reinforced by Dubai s sprawling, low-density land use developments and cultural associations linking car ownership with status, privacy, masculinity, and independence. In addition, the extreme summer temperatures are identified as another barrier, as the extreme heat makes walking and cycling impractical for most of the year. While first-and-last-mile connectivity further discourages transportation use, even among those with high satisfaction with the existing services. The social stigma associated with public transport in Dubai, as a mode of mobility, is associated with lower- income expatriates, further discouraging middle-to-high-income residents from using public transport. Cultural attitudes to public transport, such as gender norms and limited active mobility infrastructure, significantly constrain the use of sustainable modes of mobility. These findings conclude that the vision of the 20-minute city concept in Dubai cannot be achieved by infrastructure alone. Success is dependent on transport planning with cultural change, socioeconomic equity, and environmental considerations embedded within the city s urban design. Recommendations for practice include framing public transportation as aspirational, providing education and campaigns that respect the culture of Dubai, and addressing first and last-mile connectivity, as well as implementing active mobility infrastructure in a climate-sensitive approach, such as shaded/cooled infrastructure. A change in land use patterns is needed to facilitate more impactful mixed-use neighbourhoods within the current city layout, which will help enable the 20-minute city vision. Considering future research, the study highlights the need to collect primary data beyond the previous secondary case studies to investigate residents' behaviour perceptions. Longitudinal studies to better understand the changing mobility trends, as well as research into pilot projects to test climate-adapted and gender-sensitive solutions, within efforts of urban mobility planning in the context of Dubai, can help work towards the 2040 Urban Master Plan. This contributes to the global dialogues of smart cities and effective transport planning in non-Western cities, in relation to the 20-minute city concept.

Publication Date

1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Professional Studies (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Graduate Programs & Research (Dubai)

Advisor

Sanjay Modak

Advisor/Committee Member

Giovanna Potesta

Comments

This thesis has been embargoed. The full-text will be available on or around 1/5/2027.

Campus

RIT Dubai

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