Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties is set to launch a Dh9.4 billion ($2.56 billion) housing project in the UAE capital, its chairman Ahmed Al-Sayegh said on Sunday.

The new development will provide around 5,000 homes for middle-income UAE families, as part of the Abu Dhabi government's housing initiative, he noted.

The Al Falah, a master planned community for UAE nationals, is being developed in line with the 'Plan Abu Dhabi 2030' directive. It is a Dh9.4 billion project of 5,000 units for the middle class,' he stated.

It will comprise five villages, each with its own village centre, schools, and mosques. The town centre will be the focal point of the entire development and will contain civic buildings, a 65,000 sq m retail mall, a hospital, 50,000 sq m of commercial office space, a hotel and a sports and leisure complex.

The residents will have excellent access to education, with 15 schools catering for children of all ages from early learning to high school, he explained.

Located to the east of Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, Al Falah has been designed as a practical and sustainable community within a development area of 12 million sq m.

Moving away from the traditional 'grid' approach for developments, Al Falah's innovative design encourages community gathering with a number of open parks that connect the residential, commercial and leisure elements.

He said Aldar was proud to be a major contributor to one of the main pillars of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.

'Increasing housing availability for middle income families is one of many ways through which Aldar is living up to its mission of building sustainable communities to cater to the growth needs of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Al-Sayegh remarked.

'Al Falah is a residential development that creates a strong sense of community, not only by its design but also through the community centres and amenities that will be available for the residents,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service