On March 5, 2024, at the Future Landscape and Playspaces UAE Summit, Deema Aburizik, founder of Street Design Team, delivered a keynote aimed at dispelling common misconceptions surrounding walking and cycling in Dubai. Drawing on a year of conversations with over 200 stakeholders, Deema presented her “Top 10 Myths” list, combining research and insights from local initiatives to address frequently cited challenges of active mobility in hot desert climates.
Her talk balanced facts, practical examples, and engaging stories, encouraging attendees to reconsider the potential for walking and cycling in Dubai. By sharing outcomes from on-the-ground projects, Deema highlighted the possibilities for cities in similar climates to embrace active mobility as part of sustainable urban planning.