Capital rising

Abu Dhabi to become a 'contemporary expression of an Arab city' by 2030.

By 2030, the population of Abu Dhabi is expected to reach three million. Keeping this radical growth in mind, the emirate's government has published a plan for the city that will guide the development and growth for the next quarter of a century.

'Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework Plan' was developed by an international planning taskforce in consultation with the government, and articulates a clear direction and description of growth for Abu Dhabi.

The plan specifies land use, building height and transportation plans for the entire metropolitan area. It is based on 10 guiding principles that focus on sustainable economic growth, preservation of the environment, the manifestation of Abu Dhabi as a world-class capital city, along with the protection and promotion of the Emirati way of life and values.

The council

The new Urban Planning Council has been established to oversee the implementation of the plan and to ensure it is updated over time to continue meeting the emirate's needs. The Council will also facilitate constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors involved in the development sector in Abu Dhabi. "We exist apart from the government departments to ensure effective urban planning runs through all plans for Abu Dhabi's future," says Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Urban Planning Council, "We act as the custodian of the plan and the source of all interpretations of its principles, policies and geographic plans."

The plan seeks to contain urban sprawl by distributing development across two central districts — the new Capital District and the Central Business District.

Financial centre

The Capital District is the answer to many questions: a vital component of an integrated traffic solution, a necessary element of the emerging capital city and its image, and a service centre for Emirati neighbourhoods on the mainland.

The Capital District provides a large amount of office space and employment opportunities and concentrates the government, academic and knowledge based sectors in one area.

The Central Business District will be the emirate's centre of finance and commerce. The development of these two districts will meet the demands of the growing population.

"The plan seeks to contain urban sprawl by distributing development across these two central districts," says Al Ahbabi, "This also allows for the critical mass necessary for an effective dense public transport system, and balances economic activity across the city."

A central principle of the plan is that the city remains a 'contemporary expression of an Arab city'. The emirate's heritage — whether lifestyle, environmental or cultural — therefore forms a central consideration in new developments.

"The plan allows for both the retention of current cultural values as well as the exploration of new ways to demonstrate Arab traditions such as inherited architectural styles," says Al Ahbabi.

Community is a key aspect of the plan and there are provisions for the city's expatriate and Emirati populations to exist in the same urban framework.

This will be achieved by 'building blocks', which are planning elements that combine to form larger areas of the emirate.

These building blocks take into account preferred Emirati housing types such as the concept of the 'fareej' — a cluster of villas housing an extended family around a central park or play area.

Going green

In order to preserve the emirate's ecological system over the next 22 years, the government is planning to build a national park with both green and sand belts.

The plan has been implemented to ensure that as development increases, important ecological resources such as mangroves and sea grass belts will be protected. According to the plan, the best way to ensure this happens is through the establishment of a national park system running adjacent to the city, where development would be forbidden.

With urban expansion in mind, the government has also created the notion of a 'Green Gradient'. The 'Green Gradient' will have five levels of increasing inhabitation, beginning with 'Park Core Islands', where development is strictly controlled, followed by 'Park Edge Islands', which permit a greater range of activities and structures, to 'City Buffer Islands', 'City Edge Islands' and finally 'Island Eco Villages'.

With the phenomenal development of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai in mind, concerns have been raised over the prospect of endless sprawls of urban build up between the two emirates. The government has addressed this with 'Desert Fingers'.

These will be underdeveloped buffers between Abu Dhabi, each coastal town and Dubai, giving wildlife access to the protected coastal areas, and also ensuring that the desert is not cut off from the water.

Transport infrastructure

In order to cope with the expansion, the government is also proposing a transport infrastructure overhaul.

Abu Dhabi's prospective growth will see the construction of over half a million residential units, along with associated infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. It is also predicted that over eight million tourists will visit the emirate annually, necessitating a sevenfold increase in the city's current 10,000 hotel rooms.

"Transportation is absolutely central to Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 and takes an important position alongside a consistent land use plan in ensuring that the city functions in the most effective way in the future," Al Ahbabi says.

To cater for these changes, the government plans to build a high-speed passenger and freight railway, a metro and a network of light rail lines, street cars and buses.

Passenger rail line

The plan also proposes a high-speed passenger rail line, which would connect downtown Abu Dhabi with the newly-proposed Capital District, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and, eventually, Dubai.

A freight rail line will operate on the same network and will connect the new port, airport and Jebel Ali with other GCC countries.

The Abu Dhabi metro system will consist of two lines. One will transverse the city's downtown area from east to west, connecting Al Reem to Marine Mall. The other will be the Grand Mosque District, Capital District and Raha beach to Saadiyat Island.

The future is looking bright for Abu Dhabi; by 2030 the emirate will be transformed into a world-class city due to the government's visionary leadership.

"Abu Dhabi is currently experiencing a period of significant and sustained development," says Al Ahbabi.

"Developments currently underway, as well as many which have not yet been announced, will fulfill Abu Dhabi's potential as a vibrant and productive capital city."