President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi a new law setting up the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

The new body, to be also known as Urban Planning Council (UPC) for short, will be chaired by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who is also Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, said a report in the Khaleej Times.

The UPC membership is designed to ensure that all government policy portfolios relevant to the comprehensive urban plan are represented.

As per law No. 23 for 2007, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council shall be an independent corporate body enjoying financial and administrative independence and full legal status to operate.

UPC will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi city with branches and affiliate offices in Abu Dhabi and other emirates.

The UPC will be tasked with laying down comprehensive plans, policies, regulations, licenses, procedures and controls for urban development and planning of remote areas, the report added.

It will also be tasked with setting up procedures for approval of public and private urban development projects.

Other duties of the new council include the preparation and amendment of regulations, controls, guidelines and procedures for urban development projects including utilities, construction works and lands in line with the general plan and policies.