Abu Dhabi's Zayed City project on track for 2020 launch
Work is progressing well on Abu Dhabi's 45 sq km mixed-use mega-project Zayed City (previously Capital District) project with essential infrastructure works, including the road network, sewage, lighting, electricity and water networks nearly 20 per cent complete, said a senior official of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC). Zayed City, located between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Mohammed bin Zayed City, is a fusion of social, economic and environmental elements, and will emerge as a new residential and commercial heart of Abu Dhabi. On completion in 2020, it will be home to an estimated 370,000 residents, who will have close access to schools and universities, healthcare centres, hotels, mosques, Government agencies, embassies, and a huge range of leisure amenities within the district, stated Falah Al Ahbabi, the director general of the UPC. It represents close collaboration between the UPC, Musanada, Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, today (April 18) visited the UPC stand where he was given a full update on the progress of the Zayed City project by Al Ahbabi. Contributing stakeholders including Saeed Eid Al Ghafli, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, the chairman of Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport, Ahmed Mohammed Shareef Al Khouri, the chairman of Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada), Musabah Mubarak Al Marar, the acting director general of Abu Dhabi City Municipality and Suwaidan Rashed Al Dhaheri, the acting CEO of Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) were also present. Named in honour of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, the vibrant project has been given a new identity at Cityscape. It includes a fresh logo that highlights the seven main boulevards radiating from Zayed City, each representing one of the UAE’s seven emirates. The project, which forms a key aspect of the Abu Dhabi Plan, is one of the largest and most ambitious developments being planned in the UAE. Built to comply with the UPC’s full suite of planning frameworks and manuals, the project will provide a model for high-quality sustainable living in Abu Dhabi. Al Ahbabi said: "The UPC is honoured to provide the UAE’s leadership and members of the public with updates on the progress of one of Abu Dhabi’s most important development projects." "There is no better forum than Cityscape Abu Dhabi to disclose major milestones and today’s progress report highlights that different project stakeholders in Abu Dhabi are making positive strides towards a common goal,” he stated. Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) is building the infrastructure for the “Emirates district” area of Zayed City. The 17.1 million sq m project is set to be delivered by the end of 2019 with a value of more than Dh2.5 billion ($680 million), including roads and infrastructure works. The 22,000-resident district is expected to include 2,790 residential plots, 35 mosques, 45 gardens and 15 schools within a residential community that extends 1,401 hectares. Al Ahbabi said the firm is also working on the Commercial District within Zayed City. Soil leveling and settling works have begun in the northern and southern districts, as well as the mosque area and the central business district which was launched in February this year. Infrastructure works worth Dh1.039 billion ($283 million) will begin in the Southern Business District in early 2017 and will be completed by the end of 2019. Suwaidan Rashed Al Dhaheri, the acting chief executive of Musanada, said: "We are delighted to be working on this project which is so aligned to the Abu Dhabi Plan and its objectives. The work we are doing for the ‘Emirates district’ will help provide a sustainable infrastructure that serves our society and economy while delivering the best world standards." Visitors to Cityscape Abu Dhabi got a taste of life at Zayed City using an interactive visual experience at the UPC stand. Delegates were able to view a hologram image of the project and access certain parts of the Master Plan for more information, such as Emirati housing neighbourhoods, commercial districts and community amenities. Investors were even able to use an app that identifies the exact plot they have bought. Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, the director general of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said: "The Authority is keen to co-operate with all government agencies in Abu Dhabi as we seek to establish a cohesive, diverse and sustainable residential community by making sure that all housing projects have been planned, designed and constructed in accordance with Abu Dhabi Housing Authority standards." In line with the UPC’s complete sustainable communities mission, Zayed City will provide low density residential neighbourhoods, mosques, schools, parks and shops to ensure a high quality of life and will be designed around the UPC’s four pillars of sustainability - the natural environment, economic development, cultural heritage and social cohesion. Musabah Mubarak Al Marar, the acting director general of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, said it was moving ahead with the implementation of infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi to reflect the comprehensive development plan. "We are keen to review the technical aspects of the project to ensure that all requirements, manuals and specifications are met as well as issuing of necessary planning approvals in line with the continuous urban development of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," he added. As the Government agency managing the physical planning of Abu Dhabi, the UPC developed the Zayed City Master Plan during a series of workshops featuring a team of international experts, including architects, urban planners, urban designers, transportation engineers and transportation planners
