Infrastructure & Environment

Urban Planning in Abu Dhabi

Managing Urban Development in the Emirate

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is undergoing a period of rapid physical and economic expansion, expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As the local economy expands, the Abu Dhabi Government is committed to maintaining the cultural traditions of the Emirate, preserving its natural assets and managing urban development in a responsible way. To achieve this, the Executive Council is in the advanced stages of the development of a comprehensive urban planning policy, underpinned by a 25-year vision for the Emirate's physical environment.

The Abu Dhabi Government's two key objectives in the development and implementation of urban planning policy are:

1. To create an attractive, liveable and sustainable, managed urban environment in which all necessary services and infrastructure are provided in a timely manner.
2. To ensure a vibrant mix of cultures is able to flourish in Abu Dhabi's liveable spaces, while maintaining the unique traditions and culture of the Emirates.

Transport

A Sustainable Network to Support Development

Whether a new factory needs to move its global products to market, a professional worker wants to get to work on time, or a tourist seeks fresh air at a pristine beach, an efficient and well-planned transport system is the critical factor to meeting these diverse needs.

The enormous growth and diversification that His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, envisions for Abu Dhabi requires a highly sophisticated transport network that will move people and materials efficiently through the Emirate, in a way that contributes to the quality of life for all residents, businesses and visitors.

Transport policy-addressing roads, rail, ports, mass transportation, air travel and other infrastructure-is based on the following objectives:

1. Creating and delivering a world-class transport system that supports Abu Dhabi's broader social and economic ambitions, and meets the Emirate's needs for the future.
2. Developing a clear and appropriate allocation of responsibilities between the various public and private entities in Abu Dhabi involved in the delivery, supervision and management of transport services.
3. Delivering cross-portfolio visibility and effective information sharing between the public and private sectors to ensure transport decisions can support and influence real estate and industrial development in other areas.
4. Creating an appropriate structure for the Department of Transport to efficiently and effectively deliver the Emirate's transport vision.

Environment, Health and Safety

Preserving Wildlife, Protecting People

One of the most important legacies of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the preservation of the land and marine environment for future generations of the Emirates. In a relatively small area, Abu Dhabi boasts a diverse environment, home to globally important wildlife such as the Arabian gazelle, migrating birds, and countless marine fish and animals. The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi protects the rich wildlife and ecosystem, ensuring that the Emirate's social and economic growth is managed in a sustainable way. Specifically, this means supporting long-term environmental conservation and protecting human health and safety for all inhabitants.

The Agency sets, monitors and enforces standards and regulations relating to air quality, marine management, water use and recycling, land contamination and restoration, noise abatement, waste containment, biodiversity and conservation, occupational health and safety, hazardous materials and environmental auditing. These monitoring and enforcement procedures are crucial to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to establish Abu Dhabi as a global city.

The Environment Agency will achieve excellence in the protection of environment, health and safety through partnerships between Government entities and the private sector, so that activities within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are undertaken in a responsible, safe and sustainable manner. Ensuring a clean environment is critical to sustainable economic growth in Abu Dhabi.

A practical benefit of this approach is to reduce risk and liability for the Emirate and clarify responsibilities for government and the private sector.

The UAE has had a dedicated body to address environmental concerns since 1975, and Abu Dhabi's emirate-level agency-first established in 1993-has worked closely with the Federal Environment Agency and continues to do so. As part of the government restructuring taking place in Abu Dhabi, the local agency will evolve into the Department of Environment and Wildlife, taking on additional responsibilities not outlined here, including forestry management.

Municipal Affairs

Empowering the Regions and Coordinating Growth

Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Emirate is embarking on a necessary and ambitious restructuring of its Government and functions.

The Department of Municipal Affairs, which was established in May 2007 to replace the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture, is the focal point of all municipal planning activities, in addition to overseeing public works projects in the Emirate.

The Department of Municipal Affairs will be supported by three Regional Municipal Councils and Municipal Administrations. The Department of Municipal Affairs will be the regulator and supervisor of services provided by an empowered private sector, instead of the dominant provider of services.

The objective of the new Department of Municipal Affairs is to make the management of municipal services more efficient and to prepare for the needs of the population in the future.

Some services of the Department have already been outsourced to the private sector, and others will be distributed to other arms of government. In addition, the agricultural responsibilities of the former Department of Municipalities and Agriculture have been transferred to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. The process of reform will bring new efficiencies and customer improvements for all Nationals and residents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and represents a new era in municipal service provision.

Police and Emergency Services

Maintaining a Safe and Secure Society

Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates enjoy one of the safest and most secure citizen environments anywhere in the world. Under the guidance of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed, and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Emirate has enjoyed long periods of low crime, social diversity and freedom from civil strife.

The General Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police works in partnership with each of the Government Departments of Abu Dhabi to ensure a safe and stable society, to keep crime low, and to contribute to the delivery of justice in a way that secures and maintains public confidence.

Specifically, the Directorate has responsibility for police services, emergency services and correctional facility management. The Directorate is an arm of the Ministry of the Interior of the United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi also enjoys strong internal security, and has thankfully been free of acts of terrorism that have tragically beset other nations around the world. Accordingly, police, emergency services, and correctional facilities reflect the specific needs of the local community, which are distinctly different to other nations around the world where crime rates are generally higher in comparison.

The overarching vision of the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police is to become 'the most operationally effective police force possible' within five years.