Registrations open for Best Home Garden Competition
03 November 2025
Dubai Municipality launches ‘The Most Beautiful Sustainable Home Garden’ competition as part of Year of the Community
- AED 300,000 in total prizes to be awarded across ten winning entries.
- Initiative promotes sustainable home gardening aligned with Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
- Ten-point evaluation matrix includes sustainability, innovation, and water-efficiency.
- 150 total awareness workshops and recreational events during the past year to spread environmental awareness and responsibility
In line with the UAE’s Year of the Community, Dubai Municipality has launched the third edition of its community agriculture competitions under the theme ‘The Most Beautiful Sustainable Home Garden in Dubai’. With a prize pool of AED 300,000, the competition invites residents to transform their home gardens into sustainable green spaces that reflect innovative landscaping, eco-conscious practices, and an enhanced urban aesthetic.
This initiative is part of Dubai Municipality’s ongoing efforts to expand green cover, elevate environmental awareness, and embed sustainable agricultural practices into daily life. By encouraging community members to contribute to the city’s ecological footprint, the competition supports Dubai’s broader vision of becoming a leading global model for sustainable and liveable cities.
As part of its efforts to raise community awareness, Dubai Municipality will organize workshops, awareness initiatives, and digital content to help participants design sustainable home gardens using modern technologies and innovative water and energy management practices. This will also encourage sustainable environmental practices in homes and residential neighbourhoods.
Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi, Director of the Agriculture Department at Dubai Municipality, stated: “The competition is an extension of our efforts to enhance the urban landscape of the emirate and develop the agriculture sector. Dubai Municipality does not only plant trees, but also fosters awareness and environmental responsibility in every neighbourhood and home. We encourage residents to adopt innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions and practices that contribute to expanding green spaces. We believe that beauty begins within the community, and every sustainable home garden reflects the city’s identity and appeal, contributing to making Dubai the best city globally in terms of quality of life and sustainability, in alignment with the objectives of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040.”
He added: “We are proud of the success achieved by the previous two editions of the competition and the remarkable community participation, which reflects the high level of culture among Dubai’s residents and their interest in applying sustainable agricultural practices and maintaining the attractive, civilized appearance of their private gardens.”
Ten evaluation criteria to recognise innovation and sustainability
Entries will be assessed by a specialised judging committee based on ten comprehensive evaluation criteria:
- Water management and efficiency
- Biodiversity and the use of native or adaptive plants
- Soil health and use of organic fertilisers
- Waste management practices
- Energy efficiency and use of renewables
- Contribution to microclimate improvement
- Cleanliness and ease of maintenance
- Safety and accessibility
- Optimal space utilisation
- Innovation and use of technology
The competition is open to all members of the Dubai community, including homeowners in residential neighbourhoods. To be eligible, participating gardens must incorporate both sustainability and aesthetic elements, using innovative designs and solutions that enhance water and energy efficiency, improve plant quality, and ensure species adaptability. Winners will be announced in March 2026. Interested participants may register by visiting the official Dubai Municipality website via the following link: Link
In the previous edition, the competition attracted nearly 200 entries. Dubai Municipality also conducted more than 150 interactive workshops and events focused on the practical application of sustainable gardening practices. These sessions covered topics such as water conservation, soil enhancement, and the selection of climate-appropriate plant species. The programme successfully raised environmental awareness and encouraged wider participation from families and community members across the emirate.
In 2024, Dubai Municipality planted approximately 216,500 trees — representing a 17% increase compared to 2023 — at an average rate of around 600 trees per day. In addition, landscaping, horticulture, and ornamental planting projects were implemented across 391.51 hectares (3,915,100 square metres), resulting in a 57% year-on-year increase in green cover. These efforts directly contribute to the goals of Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and reinforce the Municipality’s commitment to enhancing the urban environment through sustainable practices.
