Dubai Municipality has unveiled new planning standards for early childhood centers, marking a significant step in the emirate’s efforts to enhance its urban planning framework. The updated regulations, announced on Friday, October 24, 2025, include provisions for constructing a dedicated first floor exclusively for administrative and service purposes. Additionally, preschools, nurseries, and daycare centers must maintain a minimum setback of three meters on all sides to ensure adequate open space. The new standards also outline specific parking requirements, mandating one parking space per classroom, one space per 50 square meters of office area, and one dedicated bus space for every three classrooms. These measures aim to optimize land use, improve capacity, and elevate service levels without imposing additional fees. Eng. Sanaa Al Alili, Director of the Urban Planning Department at Dubai Municipality, emphasized that the changes align with Dubai’s Urban Master Plan 2040 and its vision to nurture future generations. The initiative was developed in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Knowledge Fund, ensuring a modern learning environment for children while enhancing the investment appeal of early education. Eng. Nasser BuShehab, CEO of the Planning and Governance Sector at Dubai Municipality, highlighted that the standards support Dubai’s goal of building an integrated and sustainable community within a contemporary educational framework.