New two-stream approach delivers a faster, more tailored review process for developers.

Abu Dhabi, April 11th, 2013: The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has today unveiled its new Development Review Stream (DRS) process aimed at improving and fast tracking the existing review process for new development projects. DRS will work in complete harmony with all of the UPC's new initiatives developed over the last two years to ensure that new developments fit with the overarching principles of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. These improvements are a result of a comprehensive review of the existing process and the incorporation, where relevant, of stakeholder feedback.

As clearly stated by Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director, Development Review and Estidama, UPC: "All new development within our Emirate is subject to rigorous review to ensure public and private land and infrastructure development is in line with our Leadership's long-term development vision and fit within the approved framework plans, as well as adhering to other Government regulations, policies and guidelines. In that respect, our new DRS process is designed to play a strategic and pivotal role as an adaptive tool that will ensure the UPC is able to respond more effectively to our stakeholders' needs and make the most of the economic growth that the Emirate is currently seeing. As each development is different in terms of its complexity, our new process ensures we respond accordingly as a proactive, customer-responsive agency that prioritises our applicants."

With DRS, any new development that requires UPC approval will now go through either the 'Master Plan' review stream or 'Project' review stream. A development will be subject to the Master Plan review stream if the development includes separate buildings, provides a road network and where the Community Facility Standards are applicable. Alternatively, a development will be subject to the Project review stream if it includes a single building or multiple buildings with a connected podium, provides no road network and where the Community Facility Standards are not applicable. These criteria enable the application process to specifically target the types of development so as to ensure that UPC's Development Review Team is able to value add to the project in the most effective manner. These new tailored review streams, and the commitment to consider the proponents' specific requests, guarantees that bespoke feedback and support is given to every new development and ensures that the process supports the growth of Abu Dhabi in a sustainable and measured approach.  Each review stream will be subject to very clear submittal requirements.  Frontloading the submittal requirements ensures that the applicant is able to provide the correct documentation up front and ensures that Development Review staff do not need to request further information.

Central to DRS are the principles of sustainability which ensure that supply and demand are strategically balanced based on long-term growth projections. Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030 establishes a clear vision for sustainability as the foundation of any new development within the Emirate. DRS is aligned with and complements the Estidama Real Rating System, therefore the Development Review Team encourages developers/private individuals to look at the 'whole lifecycle' costs throughout the design, development, construction and operation of their projects in addition to using the Integrated Development Process (IDP), which is one of the mandatory requirements of the Estidama Pearl Rating System.

The UPC's previous Development Review process was based on three streams and included four steps: Enquiry, Pre-Concept Stage, Concept Planning Review and Detailed Planning. DRS streamlines the process by reducing the number of review streams from three to two (Master Plan and Projects) and the number of review stages from four to two (Concept and Detailed). This enables developers to fulfil submission requirements in a more concise way, having been tested during a number of soft testing sessions to prove its effectiveness. By applying both processes, the total time reduction will vary from about 31% to 63%.   

Al Khadar added: "Our new DRS process will help to streamline the review process by coordinating Governmental agencies' inputs on behalf of developers while ensuring all required infrastructure and community facilities are provided as development is built. DRS also ensures that all of the urban development regulations, manuals and guidelines are working together to create Complete Sustainable Communities (CSC) to meet the needs of residents now, without negatively impacting on the future lives and available resources of future generations. Anticipation is the key word in our assigned mission and translates itself through the UPC's '4C - foresee' targeted approach that makes the four steps our Development Review Team considers - Consultation, Consideration, Communication and Consolidation - cascade in a logical manner and for the ultimate benefit of our customers."   

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For more information on the DRS process, please visit this link:

About the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council:
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council was created by Law number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007.  Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole.  The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas.

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council's primary purpose is to deliver upon the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi for the continued fulfilment of the grand design envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a global capital city.  By drawing on urban planning expertise locally, throughout the GCC and around the world, the UPC strives to be a global authority on the future of urban planning and design.

For more information please contact:
Jean-Philippe Coulaud
Corporate Communications Director
Direct:  +971 2 409 6095
Email:  Jphilippe.coulaud@upc.gov.ae
Web:  www.upc.gov.ae

Ghadeer Al Mansoori
Senior Media Relations Officer
Direct: +971 2 409 6016
Mobile: +971 50 762 233 2
Email: Ghadeer.almansoori@upc.gov.ae

© Press Release 2013