Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments, has in close collaboration with Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) unveiled the coastal development guidelines for the emirate.

The guidelines, which are one of the first initiatives resulting from the earlier introduced 'Natural and Cultural Heritage Strategy,' is an integral aspect of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030’s Environment Framework Plan.

The new guidelines provide direction for development in the major coastal basins extending from the Al Dhabiya island to the boundary with Dubai Emirate – which are referred to as the Bul Syaeef, Inner Islands, Ras Gharab and Ras Ghanadah basins.

Within each area, there will be management strategies ranging from a fully preserved natural reserve, which protects the most important natural and cultural assets, to stewardship zones, which are urban in nature but that promote sustainable design and social inclusion.

“The assigned goal for coastal development guidelines is to improve the environmental performance of coastal development by incorporating key environmental considerations at the conceptual stage” said Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

For the purpose of these guidelines the different areas have been designated as ‘protected’ / ‘proposed protected’ and ‘national parks’. This special land use designation is justified by their ecological, aesthetic and scientific importance, as well as for their eco tourism potential.

'The areas that have been identified for protection include those areas that contribute to Abu Dhabi’s overall biodiversity including; intertidal mudflats, mangroves, seagrass meadows and coral reefs. These important habitats provide ecosystem services such as protection from shoreline erosion, stabilization of sediment, filtration of contaminants and nutrient recycling.'

Additionally, these areas provide feeding and nursing grounds for a variety of commercially important fish species as well as migratory shorebirds and endangered marine wildlife” said Majid Al-Mansoori, secretary general, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.

The unveiling of the coastal development guidelines fulfils an important step in the maritime strategy for Abu Dhabi, an overarching strategy developed by the Maritime Security Executive Committee and approved by relevant stakeholders and the Marine Areas Supreme Security Committee.

“The identified areas provide an excellent opportunity to promote environmental education and awareness for all residents of the Abu Dhabi Emirate as well as visitors and it is our obligation and duty to protect and preserve these precious natural resources for future generations” he added.

According to the guidelines stipulated in the document, coastal parks and ecological hotspots are exempt from activities such as dredging, reclamation or other physical alteration activities of the environment, Al Ahbabi stated.

Only small scale visitor facilities and related services can be deployed in these areas. Access to these areas is limited to ferries and small, non-motorized boats, he noted.

The key objective of the guidelines is not to isolate these areas from the public, but rather create a framework which will make them accessible and available to the people of Abu Dhabi whilst ensuring they are protected and preserved, Al Ahbabi explained.

'For example, water sports and especially non-motorized boating are encouraged and areas suitable for camping and picnic facilities will be designated in appropriate locations to serve the population. Any docks, moorage or related infrastructure will also be very carefully designated and designed to avoid impacts to natural habitat,' he added.

Al Mansoori said the coastal zone is a sensitive area that is used by a variety of different sectors for different objectives; in order to best manage these areas, collaboration across sectors is necessary.

'Although ecological hotspots have been identified, due vigilance should be maintained in developing areas outside of these zones in order to ensure sustainable development of  the coastline of Abu Dhabi,' he noted.

The guideline document will ideally facilitate arrangements towards developing integrated decision making based on a dynamic process of cooperation between different sectors across various levels involved in the exploitation and management of coastal and marine areas and resources.

“We want to make sure that the Coastal Parks and Ecological Hotspots retain their recreational and environmental values for Abu Dhabi’s residents, visitors and future generations. The UPC has created a number of guidelines that take into consideration the need to sustain our environmental assets and the innate desire of humans for recreation and interaction with nature,” Al Ahbabi added.-TradeArabia News Service