The upgraded Urban Street Design Manual (USDM) presents new local examples of good practice as well as retrofitting streets and junctions, including guidance for design of Emirati neighborhood network and streets.

Abu Dhabi : May 15th, 2013

Following the update of the Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual (USDM), the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) in collaboration with the Department of Municipal Affairs organised during the last few months several USDM training sessions for representatives from Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Western Region Municipality, Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi Police, Civil Defense and all major technical consultants in Abu Dhabi.

The USDM was introduced by the UPC with the clear assigned aim of gradually reducing the Emirate's reliance on personal motorized vehicles by designing streets that balance the needs of all road users while enhancing the safety of most vulnerable road users. One of the key objectives of the USDM is to introduce a multi-modal integrated design process that will generate high quality urban design outcomes and cater to all modes of transport. In that perspective, the main purpose of the training program was to create a paradigm shift in the field of planning and design of urban streets. 'If we really want to guide the transition of Emirate's streets towards more multi-modal, livable and walkable communities, we need to make our key stakeholders inform about the best way to use the USDM for improving existing situations while helping designers to better understand how to use the manual. In that respect, we have recently launched our new USDM online design tool that provides technicians, general public and decision makers with the opportunity to better explore and visualize concept design ideas' says Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, the UPC Executive Director of Planning and Infrastructure.

Highlights of the design direction also include enhanced connectivity between streets and the waterfront, the creation of a connected multi-modal street hierarchy and all the provisions aligned with UPC's Complete Sustainable Communities overarching principles. 'We recently carried out some pedestrians surveys to highlight that in some central areas of Abu Dhabi there are almost 4,000 pedestrians crossing one junction during the peak hour. Unfortunately the current pedestrian facilities are often inadequate to accommodate this significant demand, thus exposing pedestrians to safety hazards and encouraging more people to drive.  Training planners and engineers will ensure that all urban streets in Abu Dhabi are properly designed to safely accommodate all road users.' add Eng. Amer.

Commenting on the (USDM), Dr. Abdullah Ghareeb Al Baloushi the Executive Director of Land & Property Management Sector in the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) said: "The Municipal System is a strategic partner of the (UPC) in building first class infrastructure projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The (USDM) will pave the way to design and build new streets based on the best international standard in this field and will aid designers in the creation of excellent streets that promote sustainable development and enhance quality of life and services provided to the public ".

The main objectives of the training sessions were for the urban planners and engineers to design streets that consider land use context and anticipated travel demand. The training sessions were interactive and included several case studies showing some good and bad practice examples. A site visit was also part of some training sessions with the main objective to fully appreciate the benefits of the USDM implementation at some recent developments, such as for instance Salam Street in Abu Dhabi. Almost 275 people were trained during the 16 training sessions. A good 63% of attendees rated the training as very constructive and all attendees said that they would be able to apply the knowledge learned and recommend other colleagues to attend the training. Many suggestions and comments were collected during the training sessions, including the need to include more case studies, site visits, etc. It was also suggested to establish a strategy to redesign some of the current junctions with high pedestrian volumes and inadequate pedestrian refuge islands.

Al Hammadi added: "Street Design is one the key components towards the creation of Complete Sustainable Communities. As demonstrated during these training sessions, the USDM will improve the lifestyle and living standards of all residents. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring community developments and revitalization plans are sustainable. As the regulations and standards are enforced and the USDM guidelines utilized, so Abu Dhabi Emirate's urban environment will develop into a benchmark for other cities in the region for leading street design and implementation ".

The USDM training sessions are part of the UPC's consultation approach designed to respond to customer and general public demand for in-depth information.

More training sessions will be organized by the UPC in the next few months, including site visits to some residential developments that are almost completed and have been planned and designed following the Complete Sustainable Communities and USDM design principles.


Note to the editors:

In summary 16 training sessions were carried out for almost 260 participants:

-          3 training sessions for the Municipality Champions selected by DMA (19 to 20 June and 16 July 2012)

-          1 training session for the Department of Transport staff (21 June 2012)

-          3 training sessions for the Al Ain Municipality staff and consultants (26 to 28 November 2012)

-          3 training sessions for the Western Region Municipality and consultants (6 to 8 November 2012)

-          3 training sessions for UPC consultants (11 to 13 November 2012)

-          2 training sessions for Abu Dhabi Municipality consultants (9 to 10 December 2012)

-          1 training session for Abu Dhabi Police and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence (22 January 2013)

-Ends-

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