Photo Credit : WAM
Dubai has taken a major step toward building a more family-friendly city, as the Ministry of Family and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a strategic agreement to support the “Family First” programme. The partnership aims to enhance transport systems, infrastructure, and public spaces to better serve families across the emirate.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s National Family Growth Agenda 2031, which positions the family as a central pillar of development and social stability. By integrating family-focused principles into urban planning, the agreement seeks to improve quality of life while strengthening social cohesion for future generations.
Officials say the collaboration represents a new model that connects social policy with city design. It will introduce family-oriented standards across transport services, road networks, and urban development projects, ensuring that everyday mobility becomes more accessible and convenient for families.
The Ministry of Family is also working to translate family values into practical urban solutions. This includes using behavioural science approaches in design, such as clear guidance systems and sensory cues, to create safer, more comfortable, and user-friendly environments for people of all ages.
Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, described the agreement as a key expansion of the “Family First” programme into sectors that directly impact daily life. She noted that embedding family priorities into transport and infrastructure reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to people-centred development.
From the RTA side, Director-General Mattar Al Tayer highlighted the authority’s focus on delivering inclusive and accessible mobility solutions. He said the partnership will help develop new planning standards that reinforce Dubai’s position as a global leader in human-centred urban development.
RTA has already introduced several initiatives aimed at easing daily life for families. These include free parking for senior Emiratis, discounted public transport fares for students and seniors, and exemptions from tolls, transport fees, and licensing costs for People of Determination. Taxi fares and licensing fees for this group have also been reduced by 50%.
The authority is further supporting the “Year of Family” through community-driven initiatives, such as organising mass weddings for employees, promoting home-based family businesses, and allocating retail spaces at transport stations for family-run projects.
Additional efforts include launching a mobile nursery service for female employees by converting a public bus into a child-friendly space, as well as producing digital content that promotes Emirati family values. Special edition nol cards have also been introduced to mark the Year of Family.
Together, these initiatives underline Dubai’s broader vision of creating a city where urban development supports family life, making mobility easier while reinforcing social values and long-term wellbeing.
