Abu Dhabi, 19th May 2012 (WAM) - The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) is organizing public consultation sessions for six areas within the Abu Dhabi Mainland area. The community sessions, which will be held next week between 21-30 May, reflect UPC's ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of Plan Capital 2030, the urban structure framework plan for Abu Dhabi.
Held in close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Municipality, the sessions will be organized for the individual areas of Al Rahba, Al Samha, Shamkha, Shawamekh, Al Falah and, Al Khatem in Abu Dhabi Mainland with local Government authorities along with its residents. The sessions are the next step towards formulating the urban sustainable master plans for the areas. The community sessions will provide UPC planners with the platform to interact with local community members to ensure their sustained involvement in the entire planning process for each area to attain self-efficiency through a balance of high quality community facilities. "Collaboration with residents for the comprehensive formulation of the urban master plans is one of the key fundamental planning principles practiced by the UPC. The planning process aims at incorporating most of the views and feedback voiced by the residents during the sessions," said Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Director of Planning and Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC). "The public consultation sessions will begin next week and are primarily meant for the residents and we encourage them to actively participate in this important planning process," added Al Hammadi. As a next step, following direction from the outcomes of each session, conceptual plans for the communities will be drafted and reviewed by stakeholders before the final plan is formulated. In line with Estidama, which means 'sustainability' in Arabic and is Abu Dhabi's sustainability programe, the master plans following the public sessions will be founded on key environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability principles. "We are designing communities that reflect the creative contribution of our people. Our aim is to manage and meet immediate needs without compromising the assets and potential of the Emirati's future generation. Determining land use and recommending patterns of transportation, infrastructure, government services, health care and other community facilities will be an integral aspect of the master plans for the communities within Abu Dhabi Mainland," concluded Al Hammadi. The community involvement exercise implemented by UPC for the formulation of masterplans is in tune with Abu Dhabi Urban Vision 2030 which aims to inspire and increase citizen's involvement by identifying the key motivations driving people to interact with Abu Dhabi's sustainable vision to improve community, environmental, social, economic and cultural responsibility. To support and promote the sessions, UPC will also interact with residents via a dedicated digital platform, utilizing a range of tailored online communication tools. Additionally, residents will be invited and informed about the timings and location of the sessions by an SMS and advertising campaign. .Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
