Dubai’s first Martian Colony will be on Earth, in Dubai
Dubai wants to operate a Martian colony on Mars before 2117, and now they're planning a dress rehearsal on Earth
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2017) 'Dubai’s first Martian Colony will be on Earth, in Dubai', 311 Institute, 19 October. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/dubais-first-martian-colony-will-be-on-earth-in-dubai/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
Just a few months on from announcing they were going to, one day, build their own colony on Mars by 2117, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to build a model of their proposed hypothetical city here on Earth and they’ve dubbed it, naturally, Mars Space City (MSC).
The MSC project, designed by architect Bjarke Ingels, will cost $140 million and become a "viable and realistic model," according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and it will cover 1.9 million square feet, which will make it the largest Mars simulation in existence when it’s complete.
According to a government press release there will be a whole host of scientific operations taking place inside the MSC that will range from labs researching food, energy and water, to agricultural testing and studies about food security. Parts of the MSC will also be open to the public, including a space museum, and the walls of this museum, according to the press release, will feature 3D Printed designs using sand from the Emirati desert.
"The UAE seeks to establish international efforts to develop technologies that benefit humankind," Sheikh Mohammed said, "and establish the foundation of a better future for more generations to come. We also want to consolidate the passion for leadership in science in the UAE, contributing to improving life on earth and to developing innovative solutions to many of our global challenges."
No timetable was set for the MSC but, knowing Dubai it probably won’t be too long before we see glittering glass domes emerging from the desert sands, and who knows, unlike any other museum of its kind, you might even be able to take one of Dubai’s Sky Taxi’s to visit it.
What this means for your organisation
A model comes before the colony.
Dubai wants a Mars colony before 2117. First it will build Mars Space City on Earth, covering 1.9 million square feet at a cost of $140 million. Testing a big idea at scale before committing is a method any organisation can copy.
Resource research has everyday uses.
The labs will study food, energy and water, alongside agricultural testing and food security. Sheikh Mohammed says the aim includes improving life on earth. Our Energy Security First trend is rated Prepare, with wide use expected by 2028.
Sand and 3D printing meet in construction.
The museum walls will use 3D printed designs made with sand from the Emirati desert. 3D printing is at TRL 9, and we expect wide use by 2036. The world extracts about 50 billion tonnes of sand a year, far faster than nature can replace it, so material sourcing matters.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our big ideas could we test at small scale first?
- How secure are our supplies of food, water and energy?
- Where could 3D printing and local materials cut our construction risk?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Dubai wants to operate a Martian colony on Mars before 2117, and now they're planning a dress rehearsal on Earth
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- government press release mediaoffice.ae
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 19 October 2017. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2017). Dubai’s first Martian Colony will be on Earth, in Dubai. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/dubais-first-martian-colony-will-be-on-earth-in-dubai/
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