Dubai is calling on its residents to rethink their gardens not just as personal retreats but as contributions to the city’s environmental future. The new edition of “The Most Beautiful Sustainable Home Garden in Dubai” offers an opportunity to combine aesthetic appeal with sustainability, reflecting the municipality’s broader mission to cultivate greener, more liveable urban communities.
Competition details and eligibility
The contest, now in its third edition, is open to all Dubai residents living in villas—whether owners or renters—who have outdoor garden spaces. Rooftop or indoor gardens do not qualify. Applicants are not required to have prior farming experience.
- Entry deadline: 21 December 2025
- Judging period: January–February 2026
- Winners announcement: March 2026 at a dedicated ceremony
- Prize pool: Dh300,000, distributed as follows:
- First place: Dh100,000
- Second place: Dh70,000
- Third place: Dh40,000
- Fourth and fifth places: Dh20,000 each
- Top five shortlisted entries also enter a Dh10,000 raffle draw
The competition encourages participants to focus on sustainability, efficient water and energy use, and creative landscaping solutions, including the use of climate-appropriate plants, renewable energy technologies, and soil and waste management practices.Entries will be assessed by a specialised judging committee according to ten detailed criteria:
- Water Management and Efficiency
- Biodiversity and Local/Adapted Plants
- Soil Health and Organic Fertilization
- Waste Management
- Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy
- Contribution to Air Quality Improvement
- Safety and Accessibility
- Design Aesthetics
- Optimal Use of Spaces
- Innovation and the Utilization of Modern Technologies
Judges will visit shortlisted gardens to verify sustainability measures and design innovation, ensuring that every winning garden demonstrates both environmental responsibility and visual appeal.
Supporting residents and broader goals
Dubai Municipality is providing extensive support to participants through workshops, awareness programmes, and digital guidance. Last year alone, more than 150 community workshops addressed soil care, irrigation management, and plant selection suitable for the UAE climate.Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi, Director of the Agriculture Department, emphasised the municipality’s mission:“This competition reflects our commitment to enhancing Dubai’s urban landscape and developing the agriculture sector. We do not just plant trees; we foster awareness and environmental responsibility across every neighbourhood. Every well-designed, sustainable home garden contributes to the city’s identity and appeal, helping make Dubai a leading global city in quality of life and sustainability.”The initiative forms part of Dubai’s long-term vision under the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 to expand green cover, integrate sustainable agricultural practices, and promote environmentally conscious lifestyles among residents. In 2024 alone, the municipality planted approximately 216,500 trees, an average of 600 per day, and increased green spaces by 390 hectares, a 57 per cent rise.Residents can register via the Dubai Municipality website. The application process takes around 15 minutes and includes submission of photographs of the garden. Participation not only allows entry into the Dh300,000 prize pool but also provides an opportunity to contribute tangibly to Dubai’s sustainability goals and to inspire neighbours and communities to embrace eco-friendly practices.
