8 rules every resident should know under Dubai’s new cleanliness drive
‘Eltizam’ app powers enforcement to protect world’s cleanest city reputation
DUBAI Municipality has unveiled ‘Eltizam’, a smart app that empowers selected officials with judicial officer status to spot, document, and report public cleanliness violations in real time.
The move is part of the city’s mission to maintain its status as the world’s cleanest city while reinforcing shared responsibility between the government and the community.
A significant step in the municipality’s digital transformation, ‘Eltizam’ operates under Dubai Law No. (19) of 2024, which regulates judicial officer status.
Through the app, authorised users can capture photos, automatically record locations, add notes, and log breaches instantly, ensuring swift enforcement and transparency.
8 violations to watch
The first phase of ‘Eltizam’ zeroes in on eight behaviours that tarnish Dubai’s image and harm its environment:
- Spitting in public places
- Disposing of chewing gum improperly
- Littering in public areas
- Dumping waste into the sea, beaches, creeks, or ports
- Draining vehicle wash water outside designated zones
- Lighting fires or barbecuing in unauthorised spots
- Posting flyers or adverts that deface public spaces
- Failing to clean up animal waste in public areas
These targeted offences have been identified as key contributors to visual pollution and environmental harm. By digitising monitoring, Dubai aims to cut down on repeat offences and improve urban aesthetics.
Driving sustainability and community engagement
Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasised that cleanliness is a civic value as much as it is a technical requirement. “By equipping officials with judicial enforcement tools, we are fostering a culture of responsibility and social engagement,” he said.
The app is designed not only to enforce rules but also to encourage community-led stewardship of public spaces. It reflects Dubai’s ambition to remain a pioneering city where technology supports environmental protection and high-quality urban living.