Plan Abu Dhabi 2030
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council
Reviewing and approving development across the Emirate is the cornerstone of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s work. We follow a consistent development review process which assesses plans for major developments against the guidelines and principles found in Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.
This process is designed to:
* provide the developer with information and direction to improve overall integration with the surrounding area
* provide the Urban Planning Council with the necessary data to make an informed decision on development applications
* ensure a transparent, consistent system for all development reviews
The development review process begins with a pre-application meeting, at which developers provide basic information about plans for the development, as well as any initial analysis they have carried out on the area in which they are developing.
This helps the Urban Planning Council advise them on emerging initiatives, policies, regulations and guidelines which may affect the new development.
Once conceptual planning approval is given, a detailed planning approval application can be submitted.
During both the conceptual and detailed planning review stages, major projects may be subject to a special Urban Design Review Panel who provide expert advice from a variety of design disciplines to help guide development proposals to achieve the objectives set out in Plan 2030.
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council oversees development across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, implementing principles, guidelines and policies laid out in the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework Plan.
The key aspects of the Plan are important priority areas which support the Urban Planning Council’s goal to manage Abu Dhabi’s growth in a sustainable manner.
There are several key ‘development themes’ which have helped to shape the Plan:
* Environmental sustainability
* Public space
* Economic sustainability
* Transport
* Emirati culture
Environmental Sustainability
Abu Dhabi’s unique position, where the desert meets the waters of the Gulf, creates ideal and unique conditions for mangroves and other rich natural life. Continuing the late Sheikh Zayed’s legacy of caring for these surroundings, a key principle of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 is to respect, be scaled to, and be shaped by the natural environment of sensitive coastal and desert ecologies.
Abu Dhabi’s unique position, where the desert meets the waters of the Gulf, creates ideal and unique conditions for mangroves and other rich natural life.
Continuing the late Sheikh Zayed’s legacy of caring for these surroundings, a key principle of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 is to respect, be scaled to, and be shaped by the natural environment of sensitive coastal and desert ecologies.
The Plan protects Abu Dhabi’s ecological wealth through a National Park system, with development restricted incrementally towards these areas. Furthermore, by creating a protected ‘sand belt’ around the city and ‘desert fingers’ reaching from the desert to the shore, the Plan contains urban growth and prevents unplanned sprawl, a key factor in protecting the environment.
In addition, environmental policies ensure that sustainability is the major consideration in the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s decisions on all new development and infrastructure.
- National Parks
A National Park system protects crucial areas of Abu Dhabi’s ecological heritage, including mangroves, sea grass beds and the habitats of migratory birds.
- Green belt
The Plan puts in place a ‘green gradient’, where development becomes less dense and more ‘green’ at points closer to national parks and other areas of environmental importance.
This gradient phases development into five stages, from an area of strict control through to the Abu Dhabi downtown.
- Sand belt
Adapting the principle of the green belt to the specific environment of Abu Dhabi, a ‘sand belt’ rings the city, preventing development further into the desert. This discourages urban sprawl, which threatens desert ecologies and drains transport and utility infrastructure.
- Desert Fingers
Similarly, ‘desert fingers’ break up development along Abu Dhabi’s coastline. These are undeveloped areas of desert reaching all the way to the Gulf, which ensure wildlife can move between the two crucial ecologies, as well as preventing urban sprawl along the coastline.
- Transport
An effective and integrated transport network is crucial to a growing, modern city and affects businesses and individuals alike.
- Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 sets out a schedule for developing a world class transport system, which includes:
- Smaller city blocks that include more through streets
- A hierarchy of streets that distribute local traffic while connecting key points within the city
- A light-rail metro network for everyday and commuter travel
- A frequent and reliable local tram / bus service
- A high speed rail line to connect Abu Dhabi with the rest of the UAE
- Large parking surfaces to be moved underground
- As every journey begins with a walk, the transportation framework puts pedestrians as a priority. Streets will be designed with continuous sidewalks and shading will be provided through landscaping or shading structures.
Economic Sustainability
Abu Dhabi is growing quickly, with its population set to increase to approximately 3.1 million people by 2030. As the population rises, so too does industrial and commercial activity, greatly expanding the Emirate’s economy.
He key challenge faced by Abu Dhabi in the future is to ensure that development matches this growth, effectively balancing supply and demand. To do this, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council oversees how, where and when developments occur, implementing the framework for land use outlined in the Plan.
This framework aims to bring complementary land uses and developments together in one place, while also discouraging uncontrolled growth beyond the defined city limits. number of specific measures have been designed to achieve these goals.
First, a number of planned commercial developments have been brought together in the city’s new Central Business District, creating a major employment hub which is also an architectural focus for the city.
To balance this and allow for effective distribution of infrastructure across the city, a complementary but separate city core – the Capital City District is being created to house another employment and cultural hub with a focus on Government and knowledge-based jobs rather than commercial and
financial sectors.
Growth away from these two cores is carefully controlled by a series of limits. These are protected environmental areas which surround the city, preventing unwanted urban prawl. Within these limits, areas at the south of Hudariyat and Abu Dhabi islands have been designated for major development opportunities to complement the two city cores.
Outside of the main residential and commercial zones, industrial areas in Mussafah and Mafraq will be further developed and linked by an effective freight transport network. In addition, high-tech industries will be developed in an industrial zone surrounding Abu Dhabi International Airport, and heavy industries will be housed in an industrial zone linked to the city’s new port, further along the coast.
Capital City District
Abu Dhabi’s role as a capital city is an essential factor in the development of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, with an emphasis on amplifying national identity and culture with the city. Central to this goal is the establishment of the Capital City District, which will be a key seat of the Emirate and National governments, with departmental offices, embassies as well as cultural institutions and commemorative spaces of national importance.
The Capital City District will be an important secondary downtown for Abu Dhabi, providing more than 150,000 jobs and housing for more than 350,000 people. In addition to Government uses, this new downtown will include a university precinct and a regional sports hub.
An integrated, high-capacity transit network will serve the local population and link the Capital City District to the surrounding region.
The Capital City District is being master-planned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, with expert input from consultants and capital city experts from around the world. Detailed design of the federal precinct is underway and progress will continue on different parts of the Capital.
Public Spaces
The lifeblood of a city is its residents. The people who live, work and play in Abu Dhabi are the ultimate stakeholders in Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.
As such, the Plan outlines a need to design public spaces in a way which encourages Abu Dhabis residents to feel ownership of, and to identify themselves with, the city.
New landscaped parks public spaces are to be introduced, building on existing assets such as Lulu Island and the Corniche These public spaces, informed by environmental policies, are to be introduced into new developments and retroactively fitted into older city blocks.
Examples of public spaces outlined in the Plan include:
* Major city parks such as the Mangroves and other natural reserves
* Local community and recreational parks
* Green, tree-lined boulevards leading into the city
* Specially planned open spaces in front of significant landmarks such as government buildings and mosques
Alongside the provision of new public spaces, the Plan emphasises attractive, high-quality street design and the creation of cycle and pedestrian-friendly routes around the city – encouraging residents to enjoy travelling through their city and to identify more closely with the capital city’s distinct character.
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s mandate is to oversee development across the entire Emirate. Part of that mandate has been to develop and implement Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.
Central to the Plan is the creation of a sustainable city comprised of vibrant neighbourhoods. This involves concentrating growth, introducing transportation choice, making mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly streets, implementing more sustainable, cost-effective infrastructure, and protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
This brochure introduces you to some of the key elements outlined in the Plan and places them within the context of a number of exciting developments currently planned across the city.
National Parks
A National Park system protects crucial areas of Abu Dhabi’s ecological heritage, including mangroves, sea grass beds and the habitats of migratory birds.
Sand Belt
Adapting the principle of the ‘green belt’ to the specific environment of Abu Dhabi, a ’sand belt’ rings the city, preventing development further into the desert. This discourages urban sprawl, which threatens desert ecologies and drains transport and utility infrastructure.
Desert Fingers
‘Desert fingers’ break up development along Abu Dhabi’s coastline. These are undeveloped areas of desert reaching all the way to the Gulf, which ensure wildlife can move between the two crucial ecologies, as well as preventing urban sprawl along the coastline.
Many areas of Abu Dhabi are undergoing development now or in the very near future. Below are some of the Emirate’s key investment areas.
* Lulu Island
* Reem Island
* Al Reef
* Yas Island
* Raha Beach
* Seih Sediera
* Masdar
* Saadiyat Island
