Dubai Students Design Parklets to Cool ‘Satwa’ Streets in Summer

Eight architecture students from Canadian University Dubai have designed a series of “parklets” — small, low-cost public spaces — to combat rising urban heat and support underserved communities in Dubai.

The initiative, part of a six-week course, focuses on Satwa, a dense, working-class neighborhood home to many South Asian and Filipino migrant families. Students were inspired by an existing informal space in the area, shaded by trees and cooled by natural airflow. The site demonstrated how simple green infrastructure can make a noticeable difference in temperature and offer a quiet, communal refuge in the city.

Led by Dr. Simona Azzali, the project encourages students to design with empathy and explore sustainable urban interventions. The proposed parklets use recycled construction materials, light-colored shading, and native plants. Several designs reflect community needs: one is tailored for housewives and children, another uses Bedouin textile motifs for cooling, and one features a mashrabiya-inspired structure that could double as a micro-market for residents.

An exhibition showcasing the project, titled 'Between the Lines: Reclaiming Satwa’s Streets', will open to the public at Canadian University Dubai on June 25th. The project aims to raise awareness among architects and policymakers about the long-term potential of small-scale, community-driven urban spaces.