Sharjah announces largest sustainable city project to advance eco-friendly urban living

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) along with SEE Holding has announced the upcoming Sharjah Sustainable City II, a sizable residential project aimed at building upon a model of low-carbon, resource-efficient urban living already underway in the emirate. The plan, covering about 7.8 million square feet in Al Rahmaniya, will feature around 1,032 homes, comprising 944 townhouses and 88 five-bedroom villas, organized around a 2-kilometer “green spine,” and it will include numerous eco-friendly initiatives designed to weave sustainability into daily life.

Shurooq describes this project as “an evolutionary model for the cities of the future,” emphasizing human-centered design, locally produced food, clean energy sources, integrated waste management, recycling, and green mobility solutions. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of Shurooq, shared: “Building on the impressive success of Sharjah Sustainable City, we’re excited to launch Sharjah Sustainable City II, an ambitious step towards future urban living. This new phase reflects our vision for cutting-edge sustainability, where smart technologies, intelligent infrastructure, and regenerative design work together to create a community that’s environmentally responsible and built to last. As the UAE continues to lead efforts in global climate action, Sharjah Sustainable City II sets an example for how cities can adapt to future needs, becoming cleaner, smarter, and more resilient. The demand for sustainable, high-performance communities is skyrocketing, and this project demonstrates our dedication to creating urban spaces that boost quality of life while protecting the planet for generations to come.”

The developer indicates that all homes will be delivered as smart homes, equipped with solar panels and energy-efficient appliances. The masterplan will also feature farmland and biodomes for local food production, alongside biodiverse landscaping and ecological habitats. The community will have electric vehicle charging stations and a walkable layout, with amenities like sports facilities, separate gyms for men and women, clinics, retail outlets, and F&B options, all aimed at promoting wellness and ease. They also note that buyers will enjoy freehold ownership regardless of nationality, zero service charges for the first three years after handover, and attractive payment plans. Plus, a 50% discount on registration fees will be offered during the upcoming Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition, ACRES, scheduled from January 21 to 24, 2026.

This announcement from Shurooq comes in a context where there’s already clear market interest in sustainable housing within Sharjah. Industry sources highlight the early success of the initial Sharjah Sustainable City. For instance, Khaleej Times reported that the first phase of the original development sold a good portion of its units and that handovers for phase two villas were underway. By the end of December 2023, about 85% of the initial four-phase project had been sold, with the first two phases, totaling around 604 villas, completely sold out over that year. The start of handovers for phase two signifies that these projects are turning into operational neighborhoods, not just land plots waiting to be bought.

These earlier sales and occupancy figures serve as meaningful benchmarks for investors and climate-tech players. They illustrate that demand is solid, but also that vital sustainability features, like operational solar systems, managed water and waste, and on-site food production, are being realized in practice. The emphasis on biodomes and farms in the new development echoes the original project’s focus on food security and resource management, which Khaleej Times noted as key priorities.

SEE Holding, led by Founder and Chairman Faris Saeed, is positioned as the technical partner bringing hands-on experience in creating sustainable communities. Saeed expressed: “We’re proud to continue our successful partnership with Shurooq, as we share a common goal of building communities that are balanced and sustainable, with people at their core. Sharjah Sustainable City II clearly shows how successful this model is, there’s increasing demand for neighborhoods where sustainability isn’t just an afterthought. It’s becoming part of everyday living. This signifies a shift in how folks value their living spaces, recognizing that thoughtful, sustainable design can boost health, quality of life, and the future of our cities. Building on this momentum, the project emphasizes stronger connections, among people and with nature, through expanded green spaces, walkable areas, and well-planned recreational zones that foster healthier, more connected lifestyles.”

For those involved in climate tech in the UAE, the project highlights some important trends. First, it illustrates how government land agencies and municipalities are partnering with developers to scale up eco-friendly infrastructure that blends technology, like solar, smart-home systems, and EV chargers, with nature-based solutions such as biodiverse landscaping and urban farming. Second, it points to rising demand from investors and residents for homes that minimize operational emissions and utility costs, supporting markets for distributed solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and building management systems. Third, it signals that the “sustainable city” idea is moving beyond small pilot projects into broader, more scalable housing developments.

Of course, claims about sustainability benefits need to be examined carefully as these projects grow. Practical delivery remains a challenge: putting in solar arrays is one thing, but integrating them into home construction schedules, grid management, and ongoing maintenance is another. Likewise, biodomes and on-site farms require operational plans and skilled management to produce meaningful yields and community advantages after the move-in. The earlier development’s handovers are a relevant indicator, they show that the partnership has shifted from planning to occupancy, but independent data on actual energy savings, water use reductions, or food output will be crucial to validate long-term claims.

ACRES 2026, where Shurooq will present the new masterplan, is expected to serve as both a platform for industry dialogue and sales. Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa, Shurooq’s Chief Real Estate Officer, will participate in a panel discussing waterfront development on January 24, 2026, and broader themes like sustainable urban growth and future-ready communities are likely to feature prominently.

In essence, Sharjah Sustainable City II aims to build on the success of the original project’s market demand, while attempting to broaden the scale of ecological and technical features for a larger population of residents. For climate-tech stakeholders in particular, the next critical phase will involve transparent, independent monitoring and reporting of operational data, covering energy, water, waste, and food metrics, once the community is fully operational. These insights will ultimately determine whether this project can be truly replicated as a sustainable urban model across the Gulf region, or if it remains mainly a high-profile showcase of idealistic planning.

Source: Noah Wire Services