Dubai is set to issue official public behaviour rules as the government bids to make it the most civilised city in the world.
The Dubai Civility Committee has announced that two initiatives will be rolled out; a Dubai Civility Guidebook and guidelines for celebrating different occasions.
The initiatives are “aimed at enhancing the emirate’s appearance, public conduct and overall model of civility”.
The committee also revealed a plan to develop an integrated strategy for city lighting and reviewed a “comprehensive assessment plan for the overall city experience, aimed at establishing the standards and systems required to design the world’s most civilised urban experience”.
The committee met on Sunday in a meeting chaired by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office and Chairman of the Dubai Civility Committee.
“We are working to develop an integrated ecosystem that elevates the human experience in Dubai and enhances quality of life, the city’s appearance, and public behaviour through impactful initiatives and projects that touch every aspect of daily life,” he said.
It was attended by senior officials including Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Director General of the Dubai Crown Prince’s Office; Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality; and Saeed Al Nazari, Secretary General of the Committee.
The committee was established following a decision by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in September.
It comes after Dubai Municipality introduced a new Public Safety Law this month.
The new laws are a much broader set of public health and community safety laws for residents, businesses, event organisers and property owners.
They are designed to improve safety standards across public spaces, buildings, events, and facilities.
Dubai wants to align its safety standards with international best practices while significantly reducing injuries, accidents, and property damage.
There are now much stricter safety obligations for venues and events across Dubai.
Crowd numbers need to be controlled and organisers are obliged to provider proper lighting and ventilation.
The law also prohibits the use or handling of fireworks, flammable materials and toxic substances.
The most significant change is the fact that property owners and operators can now be held directly liable for damages resulting from failure to comply with safety requirements.
