Abu Dhabi bucks the trend

In a move that has some of the industry’s developers scratching their collective heads, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council has given the green light to two new master plans and one large-scale revitalisation project in Abu Dhabi.

Despite the current economic climate, the emirate is pushing full steam ahead with its ambitious "Plan Abu Dhabi 2030', which these three master plans form part of. The projects — Capital City, Khalifa B and the renewal of Shahama and Bahia — are large in scale and will cater to approximately 500,000 users.

The Urban Planning Council (UPC) is the government agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environment. Its mandate is to ensure that the UAE’s largest emirate develops in a safe, stable and sustainable manner.

“With the appearance of the UPC, Abu Dhabi is attempting to keep an overall handle on planning,” explained Uwe Nienstedt, managing director of the Strategy, Planning and Urban Development division of Kuwait’s KEO International Consultants. “In Abu Dhabi, there are now attempts at master plans that provide a more structured development for the whole emirate,” he continued. “Unfortunately, this is something Dubai lacks.”
 
Plan Abu Dhabi 2030's key strategic development themes provide a blueprint for the capital's long-term success centred on diversified economic development, efficient connectivity and intelligent transport links.

In its bid to establish Abu Dhabi as an international hub of innovative and sustainable urban planning, the UPC has begun appointing architecture firms that specialise in eco-friendly design and have extensive experience in the region. “KEO is already a key player in the GCC,” said Nienstedt. “We have 1900 staff throughout the region. We can offer architecture and engineering as well as planning.” 

KEO master planned Khalifa A and the low-density residential districts and infrastructure of Capital City; it also created the master plan for Emerald City and Mohamed Bin Zayed City — two mixed-use developments launched in 2008.           

While the KEO master plans were designed before the arrival of Estidama — Abu Dhabi’s Middle East-specific sustainability assessment tool, based on environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability — they needed little readjustment after its creation.   

“Our plans came before Estidama but we are in the process of updating our documents,” said Nienstedt. “In its current form, Estidama is a developing story. There aren’t any final requirements, but we’re working closely with UPC on all of our projects in Abu Dhabi.”

All of the UPC master plans are to be unveiled at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, April 19-22.