urban developer profile
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EMIRATE IN EVOLUTION
As Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 extends its reach into the four corners of the emirate, the Urban Planning Council is the driving force behind development of an emirate-wide framework for future economic diversity. Claire Malcolm learns more
The future development of Abu Dhabi’s urban environment from its island capital to the as-yet-undeveloped expanses of the western region is covered by the government’s Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, which is being mas- terminded by the Urban Planning Council (UPC). Established by the government of Abu Dhabi in 2007, the implementation of this multi-faceted urban structure framework has already yielded tangible results, and with every square kilometre of the emirate under consideration for investment potential, UPC has a hands-on role in shaping the emirate’s physical and socio-economic landscape. Benchmarking against other emerging market hubs has not been the case for Abu Dhabi, according to HE
Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager, UPC. “In terms of looking at other global hubs, Abu Dhabi’s experience is unique and follows its own process of development. We have studied what other cities have done in the past, but when it came down to determining what’s best for Abu Dhabi, it was clear that a home-grown solution that is adapted to our environment, culture and economy was the only realistic plan,” he says. To ensure that the emirate’s vision stays on track, a series of monitoring and revision tools have been embedded within the plan, which allow the government to measure and evaluate progress. “As the first
planning programme of this kind and scope within the Arab world, we are hoping that the work of the UPC will become a best practice benchmark for future urban design within the UAE and beyond,” states Al Ahbabi confidently. “We remain open to sharing best practice with others. For instance, the UPC and the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development have recently engaged other global capitals in a new initiative through the World Economic Forum to share experiences and benefit from the work done by other leading cities,” he adds. Over the past two years the UPC has been working on extending the plan emirate-wide to incorporate Plan Al Ain 2030 (the Eastern Region) and Plan Al Gharbia 2030 (the Western Region) alongside the rebranded ‘Capital 2030’ strategy.
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/jun-sep 2010
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