Dubai Municipality could award to the preferred bidder the contract to prepare a new urban masterplan for the years up to 2040 by December, sources close to the scheme tell MEED.

It is understood the client has been undertaking technical interviews this week with consortiums that submitted a bid for the contract.

These consortiums are headed by the following firms:

• Aecom (US)
• Arep (France)
• Dar al-Handasah (Lebanon)
• Egis (France)
• Parsons (US)

MEED understands the proposed new masterplan will cover the whole Dubai emirate, including the Hatta area.

The contract will include a review and update of the emirate’s existing urban masterplan, which covers the period until 2020.

According to a document seen by MEED, the major scope of the project is to “prepare a smart, sustainable, competitive and resilient urban masterplan that is flexible and responsive to streamline and guide future urbanisation.”

The study will include population growth forecasts and socio-political trends that could shape future developments in the emirate.

The plan is expected to provide city managers and decision-makers with a comprehensive tool to “guide the city’s urban decision-making and development process over the next 20 years”.