Dubai’s ‘The Loop’ envisions a 93km climate-controlled, car-free urban future

Dubai continues to push the boundaries of urban innovation with “The Loop,” a visionary 93-kilometer climate-controlled corridor proposed by design and engineering firm URB. Conceived as a radical shift away from car-centric living, the project aims to redefine how residents move, live, and interact within the city.

Designed as a fully enclosed indoor urban corridor, The Loop would maintain a constant temperature of 23°C, enabling comfortable walking and cycling throughout the year despite the region’s extreme summer heat. Cars would be entirely banned from the structure, with mobility limited to pedestrians, cyclists, and autonomous driverless pods, reinforcing Dubai’s long-term sustainability goals.

At the core of the project is environmental responsibility. The Loop is planned to operate on 100% clean energy, featuring kinetic flooring that converts footsteps into electricity, vertical farming systems to enhance food security, and recycled water networks to support integrated greenery. The corridor would also house smart offices, wellness hotels, fitness spaces, and public parks, transforming it into more than just a transit route.

Urban planners see The Loop as a key enabler of Dubai’s “20-minute city” vision, where more than 80% of residents could access essential services within a short walk or cycle, reducing reliance on private vehicles and cutting carbon emissions.

As of January 2026, the 93km Loop remains in the research and development phase. While it aligns closely with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, full-scale construction has not yet begun. Officials continue to evaluate feasibility, integration, and phased implementation as part of broader infrastructure upgrades.

Separately, a different project also known as the “Dubai Loop,” a high-speed underground transit system being developed in collaboration with The Boring Company, is progressing toward its first operational phase, expected by the second quarter of 2026. This underground network is distinct from URB’s pedestrian-focused corridor.

While still conceptual, The Loop represents Dubai’s ambition to lead the world in sustainable urban living, blending technology, wellness, and climate-resilient design into a single transformative vision for the future.