ABU DHABI SPECIAL REPORT
Infrastructure development and environmental sustainability The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban regional environments. Its Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework Plan is a comprehensive plan for the development of Abu Dhabi City that will guide planning decisions for the next 20 years, covering land uses, building heights and transportation plans. Under the Plan, the city is estimated to grow from 1.4 to 3 million people. A new capital city (project value $40 billion) is
part of the strategy. The Capital District will be a sustainable, modern city with an area of 45km square and a projected population of 370,000. Urban Framework Plans have also been issued for
the Al Ain and Al Gharbia (Western) regions thus providing a comprehensive planning framework for the whole emirate. In addition, the UPC is formulating a comprehensive Infrastructure Framework to develop an integrated framework for infrastructure delivery for all utility providers. The Plans are aligned with the UPC’s sustainability
initiative, Estidama, which includes the Pearl Rating System, a framework for sustainable design, construction and operation of communities, buildings and villas. The Pearl Rating System is unique in the world and is specifically tailored to the hot climate and arid environment of Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi on the move Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport expects to invest about $82 billion in Abu Dhabi’s transport network, including the construction of roads and a light rail. The $7 billion Abu Dhabi Metro monorail track project will be 131km long, with most of the network expected to be underground. Abu Dhabi’s main port is being moved from Mina Zayed to Port Khalifa at Taweelah, about half way to Dubai, and a major
Abu Dhabi is exploring the use of alternative energy sources such as solar in order to preserve fossil fuel reserves.
industrial zone is being developed adjacent to the port. It will include a new aluminium smelter and other heavy industries.
Optimisation of government operations One of the most significant and now almost complete reforms is the overhaul of government ministries, including a massive downsizing with many services having been privatised. Teams of local and international experts have been used, studies undertaken of comparable systems in other parts of the world, and each newly reformed government entity was tasked with providing a detailed five year strategy to plot its development. Transparency will be improved markedly, with government departments made more accountable – a somewhat rare occurrence in the MENA region.
Australia & Abu Dhabi Australian companies are heavily involved in the development of Abu Dhabi and over 25 of the 100 Australian companies in the building and construction sector in the UAE have their own office in Abu Dhabi. Australians have worked on staff with government authorities advising on urban planning, government and education reforms. The Australian Business Group Abu Dhabi (AusBG) has around 300 members and is one of three business councils represented on Abu Dhabi’s Council for Economic Development. Official presence in Abu Dhabi includes the Australian Embassy and NSW and Queensland state offices. p
Yas Marina Hotel in Abu Dhabi
Peter Deacon Peter Deacon formerly served as Consul General & Senior Trade Commissioner for the Australian Consulate General in Dubai and he was Executive Director of the Victorian Government Business Office in Dubai, with a commercial responsibility for Arab League nations. Today he runs Deaconsulting, a consultancy company established to assist Australian companies enter into or progress in Middle East markets.
AUSTRALIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES | 2010 15
Photo by: Nepenthes
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