Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has partnered with Bildits, the creator of realistic construction learning kits, to launch Blueprint for the Future, a hands-on sustainability and construction initiative designed to equip high school students with practical skills in sustainable development and responsible design.

Blueprint for the Future supports the UAE’s national priorities around climate action, innovation, and youth capability building, in line with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. 

Through the programme, students explored key principles of sustainable material selection, carbon-conscious design, and effective waste management. 

Working in teams, they assumed real-world roles such as financiers, procurement specialists, and builders as they collaboratively planned, funded and constructed their own sustainable model houses using Bildits kits.

Nearly 1,000 students representing 65 nationalities took part across eight leading Dubai schools. 

Collectively, they dedicated close to 3,000 hours to developing practical skills in sustainable construction and design. Each school hosted its own competition, producing finalists who advanced to the National Finals held last year at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm.

Commenting on the initiative, Mariam Juma, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Holding Real Estate, said: “Sustainability becomes truly meaningful when young people can turn ideas into real action. Through this competition, students gained firsthand experience in decision-making, navigating trade-offs, and designing responsibly and with purpose. It’s inspiring to witness them develop skills and mindsets that will stay with them long after the competition ends.”