Planning Means Performance as Abu Dhabi Looks to Manage Urban Growth

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 19 /CNW/ - Rapid urban growth in emerging nations has rarely been accompanied by foresight and planning. As economies expand, sucking more and more people into towns and cities in search of jobs and prosperity, the up-shot has too often been uncontrolled development, scant regard for building standards and an ugly urban sprawl.

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But in Abu Dhabi, one of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and home to its capital city, municipal authorities are showcasing their vision for a future marked by structure and enlightened regulation underpinned by quality municipal services.

Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipal Affairs and the emirate's three municipal authorities at Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region will be unveiling 30 projects at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010.

Primary among these are new building codes demanding improved construction standards across the emirate, creating more cost effective structures of greater longevity and higher energy efficiency.

The codes are supported by a new addressing system for the city of Abu Dhabi, providing new, clear and concise street signage for the expanding capital while a new Municipal Spatial Solutions Infrastructure (MSSI) has been commissioned to collate geospatial data.

Municipal services focused on enjoying enhanced urban living include the addition of a further 12 parks in Abu Dhabi during 2010 as well as the Corniche water front development offering public beaches and leisure facilities.

In Al Ain, Abu Dhabi's second city, new roads, parks, city centre landscaping and the addition of 132 public toilets conforming to the highest international hygiene standards are planned.

In the country's Western Region, new designs for a full range of family facilities at Delma Beach join plans for new public parks including the Zayed Park at Liwa, a landmark development aimed at giving this desert area a sustainable high quality green space.

The new projects and services will be exhibited at a state-of the art stand. Themed on a membrane allowing external influence through while protecting the culture and well-being of those the municipality system serves, the stand includes a 4D virtual theatre allowing visitors to swoop across the region gaining a panoramic view of Abu Dhabi's future.

"We are tremendously proud of our achievements so far in establishing Abu Dhabi as a great emirate in which to live and work", said H.E. Rashid Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Municipal Affairs. "Cityscape and the high-tech stand we have created, will allow visitors from across the region and the world come and see what we have done and what we intend to do in the most exciting way possible." He added.

About Department of Municipal Affairs:

The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) commenced operations in May 2007, following the Abu Dhabi Executive Council's decision to integrate the Emirate's municipal system. As a new government entity, the Department of Municipal Affairs was created to lead, coordinate and oversee three municipalities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. The DMA has a regulatory role while the service delivery and operations are at the municipality level.

On the 5th of May 2008, the Department of Municipal Affairs along with the Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality and Western Region Municipality embarked upon a new municipal services journey, with the signing of the historic Municipal Charter which aligns the DMA and three municipalities towards greater collaboration and cooperation.

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For further information: Department of Municipal Affairs, Mrs. Amal Al Jarwan, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]