REGIONAL DIVERSITY
The need for region-specific development is a move designed to stimulate economic diversity in secondary areas within the emirate, which has historically focused on Abu Dhabi city as the hub for commerce, enter- tainment and transportation. “These two regions require their specific development plans because their current urban circumstances
are different and their development objectives are also different,” says Al Ahbabi. “Al Ain is the garden city, an environmental and cultural jewel and a central part of the emirate’s identity. It
also has a historical urban centre. It will play an important role in the economic diversification of the country with an important pole of aerospace industry currently being developed there with the strong backing of international investors,” he continues. According to the UPC strategy, the plan for the Al Ain region promises economic growth without neg-
atively impacting the natural environment which includes the town’s famous oases. A unique initiative that will also preserve a part of the Emirati heritage is the development of the ‘fareej’ neighbourhood concept – an updated take on traditional family grouped living, which will provide courtyard-style homes. The close proximity of these courtyard homes create ‘sikkas’ – shaded, connected pathways between homes and ‘barahas’ – small, shaded informal gathering areas that promote social cohesion. “The fareej is one of the building blocks of Plan 2030.
The concept is presented as a prototype for an Emirati community; as examples of how this can be applied to guide further planning and architecture in each com- munity. Its main elements are privacy, common space and proximity, to enable a family-centric quality of life. It includes space for schools, a local mosque and communal facilities,” says Al Ahbabi. A plan for Al Ain’s central district, which will cover the
area known as Wasat Madinat Al Ain – which translates from Arabic as ‘downtown’ – is currently under devel- opment, and will include the creation of these new Emirati neighbourhoods and the revitalisation of the existing downtown with sustainable housing options, community facilities and improved pedestrian and transit connections. The plan incorporates strategies to re-connect the city to the oasis for tourism and recreational purposes. The Al Gharbia region accounts for 83 percent of the emirate’s landmass but is home to just 10 percent of
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
the population. It encompasses the Liwa desert which still supports traditional communities – with an agricultural and animal husbandry focus – but is better known for its oil and gas fields. “It generates 40 percent of the emirate’s GDP.
The plan for investment and development – social and economic – in the region is based on tourism and respect for traditional structures. We work in co-ordination with the development councils and municipalities in each area to ensure that com- munity participation articulates the economic and planning solutions that meet the demands of each community,” says Al Ahbabi. Liwa is set to become the key government
centre for the region and Plan Al Gharbia 2030 will concentrate on developing housing initiatives and support services/facilities to expand existing regional settlements as well as improve transportation con- nections between outlying areas. Sustainable tourism activities are also being highlighted as opportunities for investment to diversify beyond existing heavy industrial activities in the oil and gas sector.
HE Falah Al Ahbabi
1/2 Abu Dhabi master plan
INVESTMENT APPEAL
The emirate is also hoping to capitalise on its strong fundamentals, and use Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 as the hook upon which to position itself as a major investment opportunity. Al Ahbabi says: ”Our economic vision is based on diversification and a sound macro-economic policy. GDP per capita in Abu Dhabi is in the same league as other global business centres like New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. Economic growth rates in Abu Dhabi compare favourably with most of the world’s major emerging market business hubs. “The combination of strong economic growth and very high wealth levels is unique in the world. As such, we compare favourably when analysts look at our growth prospects among global emerging cities. The efforts in infrastructure investment, the strong levels of governance and the availability of capital are all assets that Abu Dhabi displays.”
Al Ahbabi also has a tick list of Abu Dhabi’s plus points versus
other regional and possibly competing destinations. “Other than the importance given to proper community planning, Abu Dhabi’s USPs are world-class competitiveness supported by intelligent connectivity solutions, higher quality of life, increased transparency, population growth and sustainability. “Also unique to its mix is Abu Dhabi’s proposal of cultural, education, sports, tourism and entertainment projects. Another characteristic of Abu Dhabi is the application of those prin- ciples in each community development in the city through the regulations created by the UPC and its sustainability initiative, Estidama. Each project becomes another living piece of the values that inspire the vision of the city,” he adds. A clear strategy is in place to drive FDI interest and, according to Al Ahbabi, feedback from the international investment com- munity is positive, particularly following the 2009 release of initial guidelines for a world-class regulatory framework. ➔
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