Vision Magazine Online Issue 1

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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
Next Steps: The Capital 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan provides a clear, viable vision for the future of Abu Dhabi. It is a broad document of ideas, directions and patterns but it does not provide detailed guidelines for individual areas. The UPC is now adding detail to the broad proposals outlined in Capital 2030 and is in the process of drawing up detailed masterplans for new developments and revitalisation plans to regenerate and improve existing neighbourhoods. For instance, a detailed masterplan has been drawn up for the new Capital District and revitalisation plans are being created for existing neighbourhoods such as Khalifa City A and Khalifa City B, Shahama and Bahia and Wasat Madinat Abu Dhabi (downtown Abu Dhabi). Capital 2030’s vision is already being delivered on the Corniche with the first phase of the Revitalisation Plan completed in November 2009. Meanwhile, the other regions within Abu Dhabi Emirate are undergoing the same process to create their own framework plans. Plan Al Gharbia 2030, which covers the western region, is due to be published in the coming months. Plan Al Ain 2030 was released in 2009 and covers the Al Ain City Urban Structure Framework Plan. Work is currently underway to create the Al Ain Regional Structure Framework Plan to complete Plan Al Ain 2030 to provide a comprehensive and consistent plan that reflects the varying characteristics across the region. What Does The UPC Do? To deliver on Vision 2030, the UPC has five core areas of responsibility: 1. To develop the comprehensive plans for blocks, neighbourhoods, districts and regions across Abu Dhabi Emirate; 2. To assist in the implementation of all plans created by guiding, monitoring and working with the implementation team and other governmental bodies; 3. To develop regulations, guidelines and policies that will help guide planning and development in the Emirate; 4. To review and assess major strategic developments to comply with the plans, policies, regulations and guidelines in-line with Capital 2030 and external government requirements; and 5. To incorporate and encourage Estidama principles of sustainability into the built environment through the Estidama Pearl Rating Systems ISSUE ONE - VISION MAGAZINE 11
Page 1 and 2: April 2010 Abu Dhabi Urban Planning
Page 3 and 4: WELCOME PAGE 5 NEWS PAGE 6 -7 BLUEP
Page 5 and 6: Welcome Keeping you better informed
Page 7 and 8: Students Win Acclaim for Green Fare
Page 9: Blueprint for the Next Generation A
Page 13 and 14: The UPC charrette process will ensu
Page 15 and 16: ISSUE ONE - VISION MAGAZINE 15
Page 17 and 18: “Before the Revitalisation Progra
Page 19 and 20: Home Economics The Abu Dhabi Counci
Page 21 and 22: A Race Against Time On 3 February 2
Page 23 and 24: Jarat Lang, Senior Associate Planne
Page 25 and 26: ISSUE ONE - VISION MAGAZINE 25
Page 27 and 28: the manual, and they will all help
Page 29 and 30: How do you find the best people to
Page 31 and 32: Branding the UPC Since 2007, the Ab
Page 33 and 34: Cityscape Special Cityscape Returns
Page 35 and 36: SCALE: 1:40 SCALE: 1:40 STRAIGHT SE
Page 37 and 38: The final ‘C’, Community, relat
Page 39 and 40: Putting People First The focus of t
Page 41 and 42: Culture and Heritage The UPC bestow
Page 43 and 44: “We wanted to provide the people
Page 45: Models are a fantastic visualisatio

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