Designing Liveable Cities: Landscaping Leaders Drive Gulf Urban Transformation

The Middle East is entering a new era of urban development, where landscaping and green infrastructure are no longer peripheral design elements but strategic investments shaping real estate value, climate resilience, and quality of life. Across the Gulf, governments and developers are integrating urban greening into master plans, seeing it not as a cost but as an asset with tangible social, economic and environmental returns.

This shift will be on display at Myplant & Garden Middle East, running 15–17 November 2025 at Expo City Dubai, where global and regional players will showcase solutions for cities that aspire to be both liveable and sustainable. Leading the conversation are regional giants Tanseeq Investment LLC and Desert Group, alongside international exhibitors providing technologies and systems to meet the Gulf’s unique urban challenges.

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The market momentum

The regional landscaping and urban greening sectors are expanding at a pace that reflects both government vision and private sector demand. The Middle East landscaping market is valued at over USD 20 billion, with annual growth expected at 5–7 percent through 2030. This expansion is fuelled by mega-developments which integrate greenery into infrastructure from the outset.

“Green infrastructure has become a fundamental part of how Gulf cities are planned,” says Valeria Randazzo, Director of Myplant & Garden Middle East. “It is no longer just about beautification. Landscaping is a driver of urban cooling, health and wellness, and even asset appreciation. Developers and policymakers now see it as a central tool in achieving long-term sustainability goals.” 

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Property value and investment returns

The economic rationale for landscaping is increasingly clear. A Knight Frank study notes that residential projects integrating green infrastructure can see property values rise by 10–15 percent. For commercial developers, landscaped environments enhance tenant attraction and retention, making them a competitive differentiator in high-end markets.

The UAE in particular has recognised this in its real estate strategy, with new master-planned communities such as Dubai Hills, Tilal Al Ghaf, and Saadiyat Grove placing green parks, walkways, and water features at the centre of their design. These amenities are not add-ons—they are primary selling points.

For investors, the case is reinforced by the GCC’s demographics. With urban populations projected to grow by 30 million over the next decade, demand for liveable, climate-conscious developments is only expected to accelerate. Landscaping is now embedded in that demand. 

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The regional leaders

At the industry level, companies such as Tanseeq Investment LLC and Desert Group have positioned themselves as key enablers of this transformation. Tanseeq, the official partner of Myplant & Garden Middle East, has been instrumental in delivering green infrastructure across Dubai, including large-scale irrigation networks, landscape design, and maintenance services for government and private sector projects. 

Desert Group, meanwhile, has become synonymous with creating signature landscapes across the UAE, from luxury resorts to public parks, blending horticulture with engineering solutions that make greening sustainable in desert environments.

Both companies reflect the evolution of the sector: from basic landscaping services to integrated providers of design, technology, and environmental expertise. This integrated model is increasingly what Gulf megaprojects require.

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International collaboration

While regional firms provide local know-how and project delivery, international exhibitors add innovation in materials, systems, and design practices. Solutions on display at Myplant & Garden Middle East will include climate-adaptive materials, smart irrigation systems, and sustainable construction methods for outdoor spaces.

For example, exhibitors will highlight urban furniture designed for high temperatures, modular greening systems for rooftops, and water-efficient irrigation platforms—all technologies critical to scaling liveable urban environments in extreme climates.

Randazzo notes: “What we are seeing is collaboration across borders. Regional champions like Tanseeq and Desert Group are working alongside international suppliers, creating ecosystems where global innovation and local execution come together to deliver world-class urban spaces.”

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Policy alignment

The Gulf’s investment in landscaping also aligns directly with national visions. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets the creation of 10 billion trees and new green spaces across the Kingdom. The UAE’s Vision 2030 urban frameworks embed liveability and walkability into every major development. These initiatives are not only environmental—they are also economic. Tourism, real estate competitiveness, and health outcomes are all linked to greener urban design. For Gulf governments, landscaping has become a visible and measurable policy tool that delivers across sectors. 

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Challenges and opportunities

Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Water scarcity is the most pressing, with agriculture and landscaping consuming up to 80 percent of freshwater resources in the region. Energy-intensive cooling for green spaces can also offset environmental gains if not designed carefully.

However, these challenges are spurring innovation. Smart irrigation systems, soil management technologies, and the use of drought-tolerant plants are being adopted at scale. Tanseeq and Desert Group have both emphasized resource-efficient landscaping in their portfolios, working with international suppliers to integrate drip irrigation, treated wastewater reuse and native plant palettes.

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Looking ahead

The shift toward liveable, green cities is not a passing trend—it is becoming an economic necessity in a region where climate resilience and quality of life are directly tied to growth. Landscaping and urban greening are central to this equation, positioning the Gulf as both a testing ground and a showcase for solutions that combine design, ecology, and technology.

“Myplant & Garden Middle East is more than a trade show,” Randazzo emphasises. “It is where the region defines what its future cities will look like—how they will integrate sustainability, liveability and resilience. Urban greening is no longer optional; it is the foundation of competitiveness in the Gulf.”

As Expo City Dubai hosts this year’s exhibition, the message is clear: the desert is not a barrier to liveability, but a canvas for innovation. With the right partnerships, technology, and vision, Gulf cities are not just planting trees—they are designing the urban economies of the future.