Vision Magazine Online Issue 1

The UPC undertook rigorous research to create an
urban structure framework plan to ensure Abu Dhabi
can cater for its anticipated economic and population
growth over the next 20 years. Work began in
December 2006 with a series of evaluation exercises
and preparatory analysis. This comprised economic
analysis, including projecting the main sectors that will
contribute to economic growth, as well as population,
employment and tourism forecasts. It also included
a review of Abu Dhabi’s existing infrastructure and
transportation capacity.
Then in February and March 2007, the UPC organised
a series of 'charrettes'. These brought together local,
regional and international urban planning experts to
debate and discuss the best ways to expand the city
of Abu Dhabi, so it can accommodate the predicted
population and economic growth while becoming a
more vibrant and liveable city.
The economic and demographic analysis projected
that Abu Dhabi’s population will more than triple from
930,000 in 2007 to 3.1 million in 2030. Meanwhile,
the number of tourist visits to Abu Dhabi is forecast to
grow from 1.8 million in 2007 to 7.9 million in 2030.
This high level of growth needs to be accompanied by
an increase in accommodation to house the growing
number of residents and tourists. Capital 2030 has
calculated that Abu Dhabi will need 686,000 residential
units in 2030. In 2007 it only had 180,000 homes. It
also needs to boost the number of hotels rooms from
10,000 in 2007 to 74,500 in 2030.
Of course, all these new people will only come to Abu
Dhabi if they can find jobs. Capital 2030 is therefore
closely aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision
2030, which sets out economic targets that have
been prepared by the Economic Vision Taskforce and
approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
It is important that the
growth of Abu Dhabi is
managed in a
co-ordinated and
sustained way
H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi,
General Manager,
Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council
To meet these economic targets, Capital 2030 has
calculated how much commercial space is required to
accommodate the necessary businesses to grow the
economy and create jobs. It estimates that Abu Dhabi
needs to treble the amount of office and industrial
space for warehouses and factories by 2030. This
means creating more office space and industrial space
to accommodate future needs.
All these new residents, employees and tourists also
need places to shop and spend their leisure time. Retail
space, cinemas, restaurants and even golf courses
have been factored into Capital 2030.
In addition, community amenities such as schools,
hospitals, clinics, playgrounds and parks also need to
be provided to keep pace with the growing population.
For instance, Capital 2030 forecasts that the city will
need 650 schools and 10,000 hospital beds to serve
the enlarged population in 2030. The delivery of
infrastructure for basic amenities, such as water, sewage,
power and telecommunications, has also been planned.
More people means more traffic, so Capital 2030
includes an integrated transport strategy that includes
building new roads and parking facilities to improve
traffic flows, but also proposes the development
of cycle lanes and new public transport networks,
including an underground metro and overland tram, to
offer an alternative to the car.
This amounts to a lot of required development and
new infrastructure. The Urban Structure Framework
Plan is therefore a vital document to ensure Abu Dhabi
meets its growth forecast, but in a measured and
sustainable way.
Abu Dhabi Island is not big enough to house this
huge growth in population and to accommodate
all the necessary business, leisure and community
developments. Capital 2030 has identified locations
where the city will expand. These include many
surrounding islands.
For instance, the 27 square kilometre Saadiyat Island has
been identified as Abu Dhabi’s new cultural heart. It will
be home to the new Zayed National Museum, the Louvre
Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum. But
it will also be home to 160,000 residents with all the
necessary community, retail and leisure facilities.
Sowwah Island has been designated as the heart of Abu
Dhabi’s new Central Business District. The 105 hectare
island will accommodate much of the necessary new
office accommodation for blue chip companies and
have a daily working population of 75,000 as well as
being home to 30,000 residents. Meanwhile, Yas Island
has already become a key entertainment location. The
25 square kilometre island played host to the inaugural
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and it
will also open the world’s first Ferrari World theme park
later this year as well as other entertainment and leisure
venues and hotels.
Meanwhile, Capital 2030 has identified the proposed
Capital District, located between Khalifa City A and
Khalifa City B and Mohammed Bin Zayed City, as a
second centre for the city. The 4,900 hectare new
district will act as the federal seat of government
and accommodate the majority of Abu Dhabi’s
government departments, foreign embassies as well
as being home to 370,000 residents.
10 VISION MAGAZINE - ISSUE ONE