District 11 in Sharjah: The first AI-planned business district

District 11, a new project by the architectural studio HWKN and developers Al Marwan, brings a completely new paradigm of urban planning: a neighborhood that is shaped from the ground up using artificial intelligence.

Urbanism from the future

Located in a strategic part of Sharjah, along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (311), District 11 is just five minutes from the airport and the university zone. The connections to Dubai are also excellent – Burj Khalifa is just a 25-minute drive away.

But what makes the project truly special is not the location, but the way it was planned.

What does “AI-planned” mean?

Unlike the traditional approach, HWKN uses AI algorithms to generate potential urban solutions, which are then "manually" refined into feasible architectural models. The process includes:

• data analysis (mobility, user habits, microclimate),
• scenario generation,
• optimization of functionality and flow of people.

The goal is to design a neighborhood that will to evolve naturally and remain relevant for the next 10–15 years.

Amenities: A neighborhood that lives 24/7

On a surface of almost 3 million square feet, District 11 unites:

• 11 buildings with more than 200 business premises (offices, coworking, retail),
• mosque, kindergartens, health and educational institutions,
• restaurants and leisure facilities,
• richly decorated public spaces with a focus on pedestrians and the community.

Everything is designed according to the principle "Work Resort" – where work, health and social life merge into one.

Mobility and sustainability

Shuttle lines, bicycle routes, and later a helicopter connection to Dubai are planned. The neighborhood is designed to support low emission, high energy efficiency and flexible use of space.