UPC to Announce Details of Major Real Estate Project Approvals at Tenth Anniversary of Cityscape Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) will also launch an upgraded online design tool to help develop enhanced streets ABU DHABI, 9 April 2016: The UPC will mark the tenth anniversary of the Cityscape Abu Dhabi property exhibition by revealing a raft of new developments that have received detailed planning approval and launching a new and improved online street design application. Senior executives from the UPC will announce detailed approvals for key developments that will shape the urban landscape of the entire Abu Dhabi Emirate. The UPC’s presence at Cityscape Abu Dhabi will be befitting of the tenth anniversary of the region’s largest annual real estate event, using it as a platform to promote its progress towards Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, as well as the groundbreaking Estidama sustainability programme. Visitors to the UPC stand will gain an understanding of how Abu Dhabi’s built-up space will evolve over time according to the UPC’s framework plans, polices and initiatives. A series of interactive programmes, as well as the UPC’s giant scale model of the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area, will provide a fascinating insight into the Emirate’s present and future. H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, Director General, UPC, said: “We are proud to have exhibited at Cityscape every year.  Each time it provides us with an essential platform from which to engage with our many stakeholders and to provide the latest news on our work and progress. “Through Cityscape, we are able to reach a large audience in a concentrated period of time to explain our role and what we are doing as we move towards Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.” Cityscape Abu Dhabi runs from April 12-14 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The UPC will use the exhibition to reveal highlights of detailed approvals and Estidama Pearl Ratings it has given to key developments in the Abu Dhabi Emirate in Q4 2015, as well as provide a full re-cap for all projects granted detailed approval in 2015. The UPC will also launch a much anticipated update to the innovative online Street Design tool, which allows designers to create well-designed, safe and walkable streets. It has the added benefit of being able to incorporate utility corridors, medians and sidewalks, hence it enables designers to create complete streets from a design and engineering perspective. At all times, the Tool ensures alignment with the UPC’s Manuals including the Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual, the Abu Dhabi Utility Corridors Design Manual and the Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual in one tool to make urban street design quick and efficient. Visitors to the UPC stand will have access to interactive areas where they can find out the latest news on its framework plans, master plans, policies and initiatives. They can also try out the updated street design and Geoplanner tools that the UPC’s planners use in their day-to-day work. In addition, visitors will have access to screens that will guide them through the UPC’s suite of Complete Sustainable Communities manuals and policies that it uses to design attractive, high-quality urban environments. Other offerings at the UPC stand will include an impressive scale model of the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area that has proved a hit at past Cityscapes. Measuring 23 metres by 17 metres, the model shows the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area and includes new and existing projects, as well as famous landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace and Ferrari World on Yas Island. Cityscape presents delegates with a rare opportunity to engage with urban planners who are shaping the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through Plan Capital 2030, Plan Al Ain 2030, Plan Al Gharbia 2030 and Plan Maritime 2030. The UPC welcomes all visitors to its stand at 4D20.   About the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council: The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was created by law number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments, and the expert authority behind the framework plans for the Emirate: Plan Capital 2030, Plan Al Ain 2030, Plan Al Gharbia 2030 and Plan Maritime 2030.  Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole.  The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s primary purpose is to deliver upon the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi for the continued fulfilment of the grand design envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a global capital city.  By drawing on urban planning expertise locally, throughout the GCC and around the world, the UPC strives to be a global authority on the future of urban planning and design.