Latest news with #HewiDubai
The National
09-05-2025
- General
- The National
'Hewi': Arabic word for front garden, and Sheikh Hamdan's latest initiative, uncovers a special place
This week, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, launched an Emirati neighbourhood initiative called Hewi Dubai. Through the scheme, Sheikh Hamdan said he hoped to 'bring people together, strengthen social ties and create safe, welcoming environments for community life". Hewi is our Arabic word of the week. Most common in the UAE and other parts of the Gulf, it is used to mean the front garden of a home. The word comes from the Arabic "yahtawi", which means to contain. Hewi is then a place in the home that can contain a family's gatherings and activities. Before there were lavish homes in the UAE, the hewi of a house was the area between the outer door and the inside of the home. It would have a seating area on the ground, a modest garden space and soft lights hung above for the evenings. The hewi is a very important part of the Emirati home. It used to be the place where families sat, had afternoon tea and enjoyed fruit after lunch. Most homes did not have a majlis to host guests, so the hewi was the area in which guests were welcomed with a cup of coffee. Other countries in the Gulf have their own versions of the word. For example, in Kuwait, a hewi is called a hoosh. Some countries use the word for garden, "hadeeqa", to refer to the area. This would be especially true if there were many plants and flowers present. A hewi is also an integral part of children's lives, as it was the first place they would play in the home before venturing outside. Kids would set up makeshift goalposts and play football with their siblings or build a track for their remote-controlled cars. The hewi of a home truly came alive during the winter months, when families would congregate for a barbecue or sit under the stars to tell stories. As Ramadan begins to head into the winter months over the next few years, more iftars and suhoors can be expected in the hewi.
Gulf Business
06-05-2025
- General
- Gulf Business
Hewi Dubai: Here's how the emirate is set to reimagine community spaces
Image: Dubai Media Office/ X Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), has announced the Hewi Dubai initiative. The initiative aims to revive the 'vibrant spirit' of the traditional Emirati fareej (neighbourhood) in a modern, human-centric way by creating new community spaces that strengthen social bonds and promote an active lifestyle. 'Community bonds are among the core values Emirati families are raised on. We must pass on these values to future generations and design public spaces that bring neighbours together, where families can gather, elders can meet, and children can create endearing memories in a safe and welcoming environment,' said Sheikh Hamdan. In line with the Year of Community, I launched today, the Hewi Dubai initiative, a new initiative to revive the spirit of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods through contemporary public spaces that bring people together, strengthen social ties, and create safe, welcoming… — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) 'These new spaces will be anything but conventional. They are intended as vibrant extensions of our cultural identity and future aspirations, reflecting our values and redefining what public spaces mean to Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4: Highlights As part of the initiative, Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4 will be developed by DFF in partnership with Dubai Municipality. The site, located between a mosque and a residential neighbourhood in Nad Al Sheba 4, was chosen for its pedestrian-friendly character and strong community feel. The park reflects a shift from one-size-fits-all urban spaces to next-generation neighbourhood parks that prioritise comfort, belonging, and the rhythms of everyday life. Each element of the park has been tailored to reflect local values and community needs. A shaded gathering space near the mosque, Al Decha, offers a serene retreat where elders can share stories over Arabic coffee or tea. Al Saaha, a flexible indoor-outdoor venue, is designed for community events, workshops, and celebrations, while Al Yalsa provides families with a comfortable space to relax while children play nearby. Winding paths and nature-based play areas added will promote exploration and intergenerational bonding, transforming the park into an extension of the community.
Gulf Insider
06-05-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
Sheikh Hamdan Launches Hewi Dubai
A new community initiative looks to transform public spaces in Dubai, one neighbourhood at a time. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), announced the Hewi Dubai initiative, marking a bold new vision for public spaces in Dubai. The initiative seeks to revive the vibrant spirit of the traditional Emirati fareej (neighbourhood) in a modern, human-centric way by creating new community spaces that strengthen social bonds and promote an active lifestyle. Sheikh Hamdan said: 'Community bonds are among the core values Emirati families are raised on. We must pass on these values to future generations and design public spaces that bring neighbours together, where families can gather, elders can meet, and children can create endearing memories in a safe and welcoming environment. Sheikh Hamdan added: 'These new spaces will be anything but conventional. They are intended as vibrant extensions of our cultural identity and future aspirations, reflecting our values and redefining what public spaces mean to our city.' As part of the initiative, Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4, which will be developed by DFF in partnership with Dubai Municipality, represents a new model for public space creation, one that is co-designed with residents, informed by comprehensive data, and grounded in culture. Located between a mosque and a residential neighbourhood in Nad Al Sheba 4, the site was selected for its walking-friendly vibe and natural sense of community. The park embodies a shift away from one-size-fits-all spaces toward a new generation of neighbourhood parks that prioritise comfort, belonging, and the rhythms of everyday life. Each element of the park has been thoughtfully crafted to reflect the needs and values of its surrounding community. A shaded gathering area near the mosque, known as Al Decha, is designed to bring generations together and offers a calm retreat where elders can share stories over Arabic coffee or tea. Al Saaha, a flexible indoor-outdoor space, has been designed to accommodate community events, workshops, and celebrations. The space invites neighbours to take ownership and host moments that reflect their lives and values. For families, Al Yalsa provides a comfortable seating area overlooking the children's play zone, which is ideal for relaxation, watching over the kids, or informal meetings. Meandering paths and nature-based play areas encourage exploration, movement, and intergenerational bonding, transforming the park into a space that feels both natural and deeply familiar. Also read: Dubai: RTA Renames UAE Exchange Metro Station
Time Out Dubai
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Sheikh Hamdan launches Hewi Dubai public spaces initiative
A new initiative, which aims to revive the vibrant spirit of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods, has been launched in Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) announced the Hewi Dubai initiative on Monday May 5. Public and community spaces in the emirate will be inspired by lively traditional Emirati fareej (neighbourhoods) in a modern and human-centric way. The initiative aims to promote an active lifestyle among residents while also strengthening social bonds with the wider community. Sheikh Hamdan said that he hopes the new spaces will help neighbours get to know each other better. He said: 'Community bonds are among the core values Emirati families are raised on. 'We must pass on these values to future generations and design public spaces that bring neighbours together, where families can gather, elders can meet, and children can create endearing memories in a safe and welcoming environment.' 'These new spaces will be anything but conventional. 'They are intended as vibrant extensions of our cultural identity and future aspirations, reflecting our values and redefining what public spaces mean to our city.' In line with the Year of Community, I launched today, the Hewi Dubai initiative, a new initiative to revive the spirit of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods through contemporary public spaces that bring people together, strengthen social ties, and create safe, welcoming… — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 5, 2025 As part of the Hewi Dubai initiative, Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4 will be developed with this new policy in mind. The public space will be co-designed with residents, informed by comprehensive data and grounded in culture. It will be developed by DFF in partnership with Dubai Municipality. The site of Hew Nad Al Sheba 4 sits between a residential neighbourhood in Nad Al Sheba 4 and a mosque. It was chosen for its walking-friendly vibe and natural sense of community. It is hoped that this public park will see a shift away from one-size-fits-all spaces to a new generation of neighbourhood parks that prioritise comfort, belonging and the rhythms of everyday life. The official logo of the UAE Year of Community (Credit: WAM) The initiative in Nad Al Sheba will have a shaded gathering area near the mosque called Al Decha, which will be designed to bring generations together and offer a calm retreat for elders to share stories over Arabic coffee or tea. A flexible indoor-outdoor space called Al Saaha will be designed to accommodate community events, workshops and celebrations. A family area called Al Yalsa will provide comfortable seating which overlooks a children's play zone. Meandering paths and nature-based play areas encourage exploration, movement, and intergenerational bonding, transforming the park into a space that feels both natural and deeply familiar. The Hewi Dubai initiative is part of the ongoing Year of Community in the UAE. Looking for things to do in Dubai? All the sports events in Dubai in 2025 to sign up for Make 2025 the year of your PBs 50 brilliant outdoor activities to try at least once in Dubai Let's take this outside The incredible Dubai hotels offering more than just a room Did someone say freebies?
Hi Dubai
06-05-2025
- General
- Hi Dubai
Hamdan bin Mohammed Launches 'Hewi Dubai' to Redefine Public Spaces and Reconnect Communities
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has unveiled the Hewi Dubai initiative, a bold effort to reimagine public spaces across the city by reviving the essence of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods in a contemporary, community-first design. Announced in his capacity as Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), Sheikh Hamdan described the initiative as a way to preserve and pass down the strong communal values Emirati families are built on. Hewi Dubai aims to create welcoming, multifunctional public areas that foster social connection, support active lifestyles, and reflect the cultural identity of the city. 'These new spaces will be anything but conventional,' Sheikh Hamdan said, highlighting the intent to redefine urban design with a human-centric approach rooted in heritage. The first model under the initiative, Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4, is being developed by DFF in collaboration with Dubai Municipality. Located between a mosque and a residential community in Nad Al Sheba 4, the site was chosen for its walkability and authentic neighbourhood atmosphere. Unlike traditional parks, Hewi Nad Al Sheba 4 has been co-designed with local residents and tailored to their daily lives. Features include Al Decha , a shaded social space for elders; Al Saaha , a versatile venue for community gatherings; and Al Yalsa , a family-friendly area overlooking a children's play zone. Meandering paths and nature-inspired play areas encourage movement and interaction across generations, bringing the Emirati fareej spirit into the heart of modern Dubai. The initiative marks a step toward urban spaces that feel personal, inclusive, and reflective of Dubai's evolving identity. News Source: Emirates News Agency
