Abu Dhabi unveils Capital City District

Upon completion, the 4,900 hectare Capital City District will serve as a second downtown for Abu Dhabi proper and will be home to 370,000 residents who will dwell in a mixed-use, sustainable environment comprising high-density transit-oriented communities and lower density Emirati neighborhoods.

Strategically situated between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Mohammed bin Zayed City, the Capital City District will seamlessly blend national government institutions, city life and Emirati culture through a fusion of distinct districts connected by grand boulevards, walkable shaded streets, open spaces and a world class public transit system.

"The Capital City District Master Plan is based on creating a culturally rich, architecturally attractive and sustainable urban environment. Mindful of our unique heritage and accountable to Abu Dhabi's future, the UPC has assumed the overall responsibility for the design of next generation urban communities that are livable, economically viable, self-sustained, safe, and culturally rich."

said H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of UPC.

"This aspirational project sits at the core of a monumental planning initiative envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to guide the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a leading Arab capital and a true global city model."

At the heart of the Capital City District will be a Federal Precinct, which will serve as the national seat of the United Arab Emirates government. Federal ministries and government offices will line the Capital Boulevard which will provide a dramatic connection to the Presidential Palace and the Grand Mosque on Abu Dhabi Island.

The same boulevard will be the main processional route through the city - providing space for the parades, celebrations and events of national stature and importance.

A total of seven grand boulevards, symbolising the seven emirates, will connect the city centre with surrounding districts. The boulevards also have a functional aspect as they will effectively move traffic in and out of the city while being lined with national institutions, landmark buildings, public art and monuments.

An interconnected street system is an integral part of the masterplan, as it is designed to encourage walking through shaded and landscaped streets, which will also address the challenges posed by the desert climate of Abu Dhabi.

Furthermore, dedicated bike routes will be integrated into the streetscape offering safe and convenient alternative travel options across the city. Capital City District residents and visitors will benefit from two main street types; retail streets dotted with shops, cafes, restaurants and plazas and the quieter and more relaxing neighborhood streets.

The masterplan is a mixture of residential, commercial, retail and community clusters. All buildings and neighborhoods will meet the highest standards for sustainable design (Estidama) and respect Arabic traditions of design and architecture.

Estidama, which means sustainability, is an initiative developed by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) that promotes the concept of living in harmony with our culture and environment while conserving our way of life so that future generations can benefit from our choices. More specifically, this means new requirements for buildings and neighborhoods to be designed more sustainably.

Residents and visitors will be able to move between a vibrant high density city centre, traditional serene lower density Emirati neighborhoods, a number of plaza-styled open spaces and parks, a network of compact walkable communities, a distinctive souk market district or a medium density Federal Mosque district.

Education, research, sports and entertainment are also vital components of the Capital District City masterplan. Schools will be located within close proximity to all neighborhoods, serving both Emirati and expatriate communities' schooling needs, while universities, a medical campus and biomedical research facilities will provide higher education capabilities.

A concert hall and a number of hotel venues will cater to the population's entertainment needs and a multi-purpose exhibition and conference centre will act as a magnate to the region's MICE sector. And sports fans will be serviced through a dedicated complex of sports venues surrounding a centerpiece 65,000 seats Khalifa National Stadium designed to accommodate major football and sporting events.

"The Capital City District represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a truly authentic and sustainable modern Arab capital. Having the mandate to plan ahead at the behest of our wise leadership, we will deliver on our promise of creating more livable and sustainable communities for Abu Dhabi's future generations," said Al Ahbabi.

"This project raises the standard for exceptional urban planning and design and redefines conventional practices by considering the needs of future generations in the nation's capital and applying the principles of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 for a more sustainable city."