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Dubai’s ‘Super Block’ Project To Create Car-Free Areas

Dubai is set to transform several residential and commercial areas into pedestrian-only zones as part of the new ‘Super Block’ initiative. This project is aimed at enhancing the city’s pedestrian-friendly environment, fostering social interaction, and promoting sustainable mobility, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions, increase green spaces, and improve quality of life.

Key Areas To Benefit

The initial focus will be on areas like Al Fahidi, Abu Hail, Al Karama, and Al Quoz Creative Zone. These areas will become car-free, encouraging a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. The project was approved by the Dubai Executive Council, chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Supporting Dubai’s Vision

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that this initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader development goals, which include making the city more sustainable and digitally innovative. As part of the Year of Community 2025, the project seeks to enhance social cohesion and contribute to the Dubai Social Agenda 33, backed by a budget of Dh208 billion.

Digital And Urban Transformation

The ‘Super Block’ initiative is part of a broader vision to integrate digital services and sustainable urban development. The Unified Digital Platform Initiative was also approved to streamline government services under a single platform, enhancing the digital experience for residents and businesses. Dubai aims to position itself as one of the top global cities for digital services by 2027, with full coverage and high customer satisfaction.

Other Initiatives

Other approved initiatives include the Community Development Fund Policy, which supports social programs, and the Strata Registration initiative, designed to enhance homeownership opportunities for UAE citizens by allowing property subdivisions and independent title deeds for each unit.

Through these efforts, Dubai continues to innovate and implement forward-thinking solutions, creating a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society.

Apple Honors Indie Innovators in WWDC 2025 Design Awards

Celebrating Design Excellence

As anticipation builds for the Worldwide Developer Conference 2025, Apple has officially announced the winners and finalists of its prestigious 2025 Design Awards. In a notable departure from current industry trends, the awards notably exclude generative AI apps for a second consecutive year, instead spotlighting indie apps and startups that utilize Apple’s tools to create exceptional user experiences.

Spotlight on Standout Categories

Apple recognized 12 outstanding entries—one app and one game from each of six carefully curated categories: Delight And Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals And Graphics. This year’s roster features a diverse array of projects from emerging developers around the world, highlighting the company’s commitment to nurturing global creativity.

Recognizing Functional Impact

In the Social Impact category, Watch Duty: Wildfire Maps garnered acclaim for its role in disseminating critical information during the California wildfires. Meanwhile, the Innovation category saw the triumph of the M13-backed prototyping tool Play, which demonstrates how modern app development is evolving by simplifying the process of sharing interactive prototypes through App Clips.

Notable Mentions

While AI-centric apps were not in the spotlight this year, Apple did acknowledge select apps leveraging AI technology. Notably, Speechify earned recognition in the Inclusivity category, and music creation app Moises, lauded for both its editing and creative capabilities, further underscores the potential of integrated AI features when blended with a robust platform.

A Comprehensive List of Honorees

The full roster includes:

  • Delight And Fun: Capwords; Balatro
  • Inclusivity: Speechify; Art Of Fauna
  • Innovation: Play; PBJ — The Musical
  • Interaction: Taobao; DREDGE
  • Social Impact: Watch Duty: Wildfire Maps; Neva
  • Visuals And Graphics: Feather: Draw In 3D; Infinity Nikki

A Forward-Looking Perspective

Apple’s strategic focus on how developers harness its design tools over trending technologies such as generative AI points to a broader industry narrative—one where enduring design principles and user-centric utility remain at the forefront of technological evolution. As innovation continues to drive the app ecosystem, the WWDC 2025 Design Awards serve as an indicator of where truly transformative experiences are being forged.

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