Zayed vision spurs Abu Dhabi growth

Abu Dhabi's inhabited area jumped from just 54 hectares in 1958 to around 14,000 hectares in 1990 – and surpassed 20,000 hectares in 2000, according to official figures.

Its population also soared from 10,000 in 1958 to around 405,245 in 1995 and to more than one million in 1998, according to figures of the Town Planning Department.

Majid Hassan Aljamal, Head of the Construction Development Studies and Research Division at the department, said: "The small coastal town of Abu Dhabi has been transformed into a large city that is comprised of the Abu Dhabi island and the areas on the mainland surrounding it."

Despite the continued increase in its population, the standard of living in Abu Dhabi and other areas of the UAE ranks among the highest in the world, according to international institutions.

Aljamal said development in Abu Dhabi has been achieved due to the wise planning and vision of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

"Abu Dhabi city should maintain its heritage and character while striking a balance between protecting its natural environment and advancing in construction," he said.

Figures of the planning department showed more than Dh100 billion has been pumped into the development and infrastructure projects in the emirate since Sheikh Zayed took over as its ruler in 1966.