Monday, Mar 11, 2013
Abu Dhabi - A new strategic framework will soon guide the use of maritime and coastal resources across the emirate of Abu Dhabi, while also ensuring that these activities and developments are undertaken in a sustainable, secure and environmentally-friendly manner, urban planning officials announced in the capital today (Monday).
The initiative, entitled Plan Maritime 2030, will be developed by the end of 2014 by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), in collaboration with other relevant government entities.
Among its core objectives is the development of a spatial map indicating coastal areas, including protected spaces, stretches indicated for economic development and how these can be transformed over time.
“The long-term economic viability of the emirate is inextricably linked to our maritime resources. As Abu Dhabi diversifies its economy, the protection and preservation of its maritime domain is critical, and will require integration between various entities,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager at the UPC.
“Plan Maritime 2030 will therefore ensure the protection of natural ecosystems in the marine and coastal environment, and also plan for challenges like climate change and sea level rise,” he added.
Abu Dhabi emirate’s mainland coastline stretches for approximately 764 kilometres, and its waters contain around 215 islands with an additional 1,671 kilometres of coastline. These areas harbour a diverse ecosystem, including fragile wetlands, mangroves, and an internationally important dugong population.
According to the UPC, the discovery of strategic resources like oil and gas reserves in Abu Dhabi waters has made the maritime domain crucial to the emirate’s development. In addition to providing tourist attractions, water desalination plants, power stations and future nuclear plants are also located along the coastline.
The spatial map being developed will therefore depict all waterways and coastal areas within the emirate’s boundaries, and will mark which areas must be preserved to protect the emirate’s marine biodiversity, Ibrahim Al Hammoudi, manager of the planning department at the UPC, told Gulf News. It will also contain land use maps, with input from all relevant authorities about future development plans, and is expected to be available online when finished.
Maritime 2030 will focus on marine and coastal stretches in seven key areas. These include the Abu Dhabi metropolitan area, Khalifa Port Industrial Zone, the Arabian Gulf waters, as well as barrier islands, peninsulas and lagoons extending from the northeastern Abu Al Abyad Island to Abu Dhabi. Among other zones covered in the plan is the relatively undeveloped western basin that includes the Al Yasat Marine Protected Area and Al Silaa, the Khor Al Bazam area containing Marawah Marine Protected Area and Mirfa, as well as the area between Al Yasat and Marawah Marine Protected Areas, including Ruwais, Sir Bani Yas Island and Delma Island.
Al Hammoudi said that the strategic plan will look into developmental issues for all these areas, including environmental protection, transport and infrastructure networks, ports, emergency planning and national security. He also explained that conflicts had previously arisen regarding the use of marine resources, especially as various entities and investors had plans that did not take into consideration other plans being pursued.
“Maritime 2030 will not only ensure that all relevant authorities are aware of other plans for the same space but will also prevent the duplication of infrastructure development costs,” the UPC official said.
A committee comprising of representatives from the Abu Dhabi Port Company, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Department of Transport, the Department of Municipal Affairs, the Armed Forces, the Supreme Oil Council, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, as well as other relevant organisations, has already been formed for the development of Maritime 2030.
The EAD will contribute information such as habitat assessments, sensitive species data, protected areas and marine water quality.
“Maritime 2030 will ensure that sustainable development does not compromise on our nation’s biodiversity and natural heritage,” said Mohammad Al Madfei, executive director of integrated environment policy and planning at the EAD.
By Samihah Zaman Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
