Two decades since its original inception, Hulhumalé’s urban vision has undergone significant revisions. On May 26, 2025, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC)], unveiled a bold, future-facing Revised Masterplan for Hulhumalé, a sweeping framework poised to transform the reclaimed island into the financial heart of the Maldives and a high-density, a high-quality urban center designed for 300,000 people.

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At a ceremony held in Hulhumalé Phase 2, President Muizzu, accompanied by Cabinet ministers and senior HDC officials, officially launched the new masterplan and HDC’s revamped digital platform. He described the plan as essential to addressing the capital region’s growing population and infrastructure needs, calling on all state institutions to work collectively to realize its vision.

Reimagining Urban Potential

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The Revised Masterplan introduces a profound shift in Hulhumalé’s trajectory. Chief among the changes is the integration of the previously separate Phases 2 and 3 into a single continuous landmass via land reclamation, replacing the planned water channel with direct access routes and enabling seamless mobility and infrastructure connectivity. Eleven new pathways will link the phases, vastly improving pedestrian and transport flow across the urban grid.

This includes a new T-jetty for cargo, additional ferry terminals (including one with direct access to Ras Malé), and marinas for safari and private speedboats—infrastructure that supports Hulhumalé’s rise as a maritime logistics hub.

From Congested Capital to Financial Centre

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President Muizzu emphasized that the master plan is anchored in a long-term vision to decongest Malé and position Hulhumalé as the country’s financial hub. The recently inaugurated International Financial Centre was cited as an early milestone. HDC Managing Director Mohamed Mauroof Jameel emphasized that the revised plan aligns with national priorities while preserving previous government schemes, including the allocation of Binveriyaa housing plots, despite the expansion of harbor facilities.

The new plan allocates 3.64% of land for office complexes and business hubs, aiming to create 93,000 additional jobs. Upon full implementation, the island is expected to support 224,000 employment opportunities, a dramatic increase fuelled by commercial expansion and urban-industrial integration.

Livability at the Core

Via: HDC

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The Revised Masterplan reflects contemporary urban planning values, with an emphasis on walkability, green infrastructure, and spatial equity. Land use is calibrated to meet population needs:

• 29.84% for residential zones, including diverse housing types
• 10.41% for schools, mosques, and essential community services
• 5.56% for pure commercial use; 1.44% for mixed-use zones
• 30.62% dedicated to green spaces, parks, and sports
• 5.76% for industrial functions, carefully buffered from residential areas

Each neighborhood will have access to mosques, schools, clinics, and public amenities within a five-minute walk of its location. Green corridors weave through the island, connecting communities and offering 2.5 square meters of open space per person — a significant upgrade for quality of life.

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Technology, Transparency, and Accountability

Alongside the masterplan, HDC launched a reengineered official website, introduced by Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar. The platform now includes streamlined processes for building approvals, bid submissions, and a whistleblower portal aimed at increasing transparency.

A Collaborative Future

The plan is not final. HDC has opened a public consultation window until June 16 via its new website, inviting feedback on the proposals. As Mauroof Jameel stated, “This masterplan is not just a document. It is a collaborative blueprint for Hulhumalé’s future — one shaped with and by its people.”

From a reclaimed idea to a refined urban identity, the new Hulhumalé Masterplan charts a course toward a city that is smarter, greener, more equitable — and distinctly Dhivehi.