Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environment, has unveiled the waterfront design guidelines for the Al Bateen area in Abu Dhabi.

The key objective for the development of Bateen waterfront guidelines is to provide all property owners and developers along the waterfront with a framework to contribute to the achievement of Plan Capital 2030 goals with regards to providing public access to the water’s edge.

This will be achieved through dedication of land for the design of community access and amenities along the entire waterfront.

“The newly unveiled Bateen waterfront guidelines, which embody the key elements of Plan Capital 2030, will preserve public connectivity from the waterfront to the primary public access routes of the city and will also provide continuous open public access at the water’s edge for people of all ages and abilities,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

“The Bateen waterfront has a special place in the history and development of Abu Dhabi as a waterfront location as it offers residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the importance of Abu Dhabi’s rich seafaring history in the development of Emirati culture,” added Al Ahbabi.

As per the new guidelines, the waterfront is to be connected physically and visually to the circulation routes of the city.

Primary pedestrian connections perpendicular to the waterfront and linking Bainunah Boulevard and the surrounding neighborhoods will be identified in the Bateen waterfront framework plan and preserved for public use.

These identified routes will provide minimum corridor widths free of built vertical and horizontal constructions to maintain unobstructed and sweeping views to open water. These routes will integrate landscaping, pedestrian scaled lighting, public art and street furniture, way-finding tools and multi-modal transportation uses.

One of the key components of the Bateen Waterfront guidelines is the development of the waterfront promenade. The Promenade shall provide the Bateen Area with a unique identity and focus.

The waterfront will eventually become a destination which will not only well connected with future public transit options, but will also be a place where all members of the community can walk or bike, enjoy the scenic beauty and relate to the cultural importance of the Arabian Gulf to the history of Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, the community will have the opportunity to participate in diverse retail, cultural as well as noncommercial activities while capitalising on the tourism market.

“The conservation initiative for the Bateen Waterfront adheres to the principles of Estidama, the sustainability initiative managed by UPC. All elements composing the promenade shall be constructed according to the 2006 International Building Code and the Estidama Green Building guidelines,” added Al Ahbabi. – TradeArabia News Service