Abu Dhabi: A new plan to overhaul Abu Dhabi's Shahama and Bahia districts was launched on Tuesday by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC)
The Shahama and Bahia Revitalisation Master Plan is UPC's First Area Master Plan developed under the capital's 2030 plan.
"The next step is how to implement the plan with the help of government agencies. The projects will be completed in phases," Yousuf Al Fahim, Associate Planner at UPC told Gulf News.
"We have announced parks that are required in the two areas, identified places for entertainment and leisure, mosques, health care facilities and commercial development. The revitalisation plan will follow guidelines that have been set by the UPC in line with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030," Al Fahim added.
But he couldn't immediately provide an investment figure for the development of the Shahama and Bahia areas.
Improved urban fabric
The guiding principles of Shahama and Bahia Revitalisation Master Plan are to retain and upgrade the existing infrastructure network, improving the connection between the inland and coastal areas, creation of local town centres to serve the population of the towns, provision of a range of community facilities including health, educational, and entertainment facilities, use opportunities to create an improved urban fabric and industrial zone.
The masterplanning area is divided into two separate areas: Coastal Bahia, located on the coast and Bahia and Shahama, intersected by highways.
The plan calls for a robust open space framework, a clear neighbourhood retail centres approach, a neighbourhoods and communities revitalisation strategy, and a transportation framework.
Shahama/Bahia is located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The overall planning area consists of an approximately 1,770 hectares and houses almost 27,000 residents, many of whom are Emiratis.
The project also encompasses development requirements based on the UPC's policies and guidelines such as the coastal development guidelines, Urban Street Design Manual, the Public Realm Design Manual and Estidama.
"Our approach towards the formulation of Shahama/Bahia master plan was very meticulous and comprehensive. Detailed site visits to the area, along with several workshops and design sessions with expert planners were organised for the formulation of this plan, which is aligned with the Vision 2030 and is aimed at preserving Abu Dhabi's national identity, culture and heritage as well as its stature as the Capital of the UAE," said Falah Al Ahbabi, UPC's general manager.
"As community's interests and concerns lie at the heart of all UPC's endeavours, a comprehensive community involvement programme was implemented in order to ensure a sustained involvement of key members of the community in the entire planning process," he added.
The approach for the planning was based on engagement with the Abu Dhabi Municipality, community members and other relevant people, UPC added.
Sustainability
"The community involvement exercise implemented by UPC for the formulation of this masterplan is in tune with our sustainability initiative, Estidama, which aims to inspire and increase citizen's involvement by identifying the key motivations driving people to interact with the Abu Dhabi 2030's sustainable vision to improve community, environmental, social, economic and cultural responsibility," said Al Ahbabi.