Land Law Matters: Dubai’s Legal Blueprint for a Global Real Estate Powerhouse

Abstract

Dubai's transformation into a premier global real estate destination is not merely the product of rapid development or strategic investments; it is primarily a triumph of legal innovation and regulatory foresight. This article, distilled from a comprehensive doctoral thesis, explores the intersection of legal systems, urban governance, and economic development. Drawing on institutional economics and comparative law, it analyzes the pivotal role of Dubai’s legal instruments—including Law No. 7 of 2006 and Law No. 8 of 2007—and institutions like the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in fostering investor confidence, transparency, and market resilience. By reviewing technological adoption, sustainability mandates, and social inclusion within property rights, the paper offers a replicable model for fast-growing cities worldwide. Through a layered comparative lens with cities such as London, New York, and Singapore, the research highlights how legal architecture can act as economic infrastructure, enabling sustained urban growth, institutional trust, and international investor appeal.