Environment

As the world marks World Environment Day, Expo City Dubai’s “Mini Forest” continues to demonstrate how innovative urban greening initiatives can thrive in desert environments, emerging as a model for biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and climate resilience.

Located within Terra at Expo City Dubai, the Mini Forest has achieved a significant milestone with frankincense trees flowering and bearing fruit for the first time since their planting. The development highlights the success of the project in creating a supportive ecosystem capable of sustaining native plant species while restoring ecological balance in an urban setting.

The forest forms part of the legacy of the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025), which was hosted in Dubai last year. Recent monitoring data has revealed substantial ecological progress, with some plant species growing to more than 120 centimetres in height compared to approximately 30 centimetres at the time of planting.

Researchers have also recorded a 50 per cent increase in soil bacterial activity and a remarkable 500 per cent growth in root fungal networks, indicators of improving soil health and ecosystem stability. The findings demonstrate the potential of sustainable urban afforestation projects to optimize water use while supporting biodiversity and enhancing city resilience to environmental challenges.

The project is the result of a collaboration between Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Terra at Expo City Dubai. It reflects a shared commitment to integrating environmental sustainability with the preservation of the UAE’s natural and cultural heritage while advancing innovative urban solutions that improve quality of life.

The Mini Forest was developed using the Miyawaki Methodology, pioneered by renowned Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki. The approach focuses on dense planting of diverse native tree species to accelerate forest growth, restore ecosystems, and increase biodiversity in urban environments.

Today, the forest is home to more than 500 native trees, including Sidr, Samar, Ghaf, and Arak (miswak) species. The selection reinforces the project’s connection to the UAE’s environmental identity while supporting Dubai’s broader afforestation and parks strategy aimed at expanding green spaces and enriching the emirate’s natural landscape.

The initiative also embodies the key themes of ICOM Dubai 2025, including intangible heritage, youth empowerment, and technological innovation. Traditional environmental knowledge informed the project’s design, while young people actively participated in its planting and maintenance.

Advanced technologies play a central role in the forest’s management, including soil monitoring sensors, artificial intelligence-powered irrigation systems, remote sensing tools, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Together, these technologies transform the site into a living laboratory for studying local ecosystems and developing future-ready urban forestry solutions.

As the only publicly accessible mini forest of its kind in Dubai, the project serves as both a community learning space and a practical model for similar initiatives in cities across the region and beyond. To encourage wider adoption, ICOM Dubai 2025 has also made available a practical guide through its digital platform, enabling communities worldwide to replicate and adapt the mini forest concept to their own environmental conditions and sustainability goals.

The continued success of the Mini Forest underscores Dubai’s commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity enhancement, and the development of innovative solutions that contribute to more sustainable and resilient urban environments.

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