The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) marked the World Town Planning day with the presentation of the 'Public Realm Design Manual concept,' which is aimed at building a world-class community in the emirate.

The design manual, an essential planning tool that will help the emirate achieve its vision for the future, was unveiled at the first 'Abu Dhabi Urban Development Forum' held at the Yas Hotel on Tuesday.

The forum, which was the first of its kind, marked the completion of three years of the UPC's existence and the fruitful partnership with Abu Dhabi’s development industry at large.

"Abu Dhabi’s Public Realm Design Manual focuses on designing a public realm that clearly expresses the Arab culture while addressing and serving the multicultural population’s needs," explained Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager, UPC.

"The Manual reflects the enhancement priorities that will be applicable to UPC’s key urban development projects to ensure safety and comfort, preserve heritage and culture, improve accessibility to places of leisure while enhancing connectivity and mobility. Our primary goal is that by 2030, 90 per cent of all residents in the emirate will live within 250 meters of a park,” he added.

On the forum, he said it was a new platform created by the UPC to further vindicate its commitment to engage with its key stakeholders towards the realisation of Vision 2030’s objectives.

The forum clearly illustrates UPC’s pivotal role towards maintaining a comprehensive and sustained dialogue with the development industry in the emirate.

The forum, attended by key executives representing the Emirates’ development industry, presented the overarching strategy of the Emirates’ Vision 2030 development initiatives and the progress achieved on key UPC projects and sustainability initiatives that will facilitate development in Abu Dhabi on the long term.

"It is the intergovernmental co-operation at leadership and technical levels and effective co-ordination with various agencies for developing plans and regulations that have together contributed towards the milestones achieved,"Al Ahbabi stated.

"Our responsibility is to reinforce our regular stakeholder engagement process to highlight our joint achievements and discuss the framework for the next phase of development," he added.

The industry stakeholders at the forum were informed on the last streamline improvements incorporated in the UPC’s development review process and updates on various UPC initiatives which among others included Estidama (the sustainability programme managed by the UPC), new guidelines for buildings, street and infrastructure design, Capital District development and a first description of the Public Realm Design Manual’s contents and assigned objectives.

“Collaborating with Abu Dhabi’s development industry is a critical aspect for the success of Vision 2030’s master plans. It reflects our role of supporting the measured growth of our sustainable economy rather than uncontrolled developments," said Saood Al Junaibi, director of Sustainable Development and Urban design, UPC.-TradeArabia News Service