Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council on track for 2012 launch of a suite of planning policies, regulations and guidelines

In its ongoing efforts t to plan complete sustainable communities that will improve the quality of life and reflect the values and culture of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) will unveil in 2012 a suite of planning policies, regulations and guidelines that complement each other and equally support the planning of new communities, the completion of existing communities and the revitalisation of existing ones.

During Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2012, which is held at ADNEC until 25 April 2012, visitors to UPC’s Vision 2030 Experience Centre will get first-hand knowledge through various interactive devices on the Council’s upcoming initiatives and efforts at planning complete sustainable communities across Abu Dhabi.

Highlighting the commitment to planning for complete sustainable communities across Abu Dhabi Emirate, His Excellency Falah al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), said: “Aligned with the guiding principles of Abu Dhabi’s Urban Vision 2030 and the Estidama requirements, the policies, guidelines and manuals are being meticulously developed to comply with the core principles of our sustainable development that support our social and cultural traditions and values across the Emirate. The new planning initiatives are on progress for launch in the next months and they present a unique opportunity to develop a suitable and sustainable community infrastructure that will improve the quality of life for all residents across the Emirate”.

The complete sustainable communities concept enables the UPC to encapsulate the constitutive components of best practice community planning and highlights the integrated, long-term strategy that is applied to addressing community requirements. Subsequently, when communities are physically developed using this approach, along with incorporating the specific needs of residents through community engagement programmes, there is a tangible increase in the quality of life for residents and improved sustainability, thereby supporting the achievement of Vision 2030 – the ultimate goal for the UPC.

“Planning complete sustainable communities is a benefit to all people and will improve the quality of life for residents in Abu Dhabi as we address the four sustainability pillars of Estidama – environment, social, cultural and economic. By doing so, we are developing suitable and sustainable community infrastructure across the Emirate that combines function with memorable, unique spaces and places that will connect residences to the community facilities, amenities and service thereby providing the appropriate context for public life,” added Al Ahbabi.