Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council unveils new identity for Abu Dhabi Beach Project

The UPC also unveiled the new identity for the Abu Dhabi Beach project which has been designed by the office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi.

The ongoing improvements at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, which are being jointly undertaken by the UPC, Executive Affairs Authority (EAA) and Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM), Department of Transport (DoT) and Abu Dhabi Police are a key component of the Corniche Beach enhancement programme which began over a year ago. The Corniche Project is aimed at ensuring that the Corniche Beach and amenities provide comprehensive recreation and leisure opportunities for the entire Abu Dhabi community.

Commenting on the Corniche project, H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, said:

"The authorities in Abu Dhabi recognise the importance of the Corniche area as a focal point of leisure activities for residents as well as tourists visiting UAE's capital. The Corniche Project currently underway will ensure that the Corniche provides comprehensive recreation and leisure opportunities for the entire Abu Dhabi community and will ensure that Residents and visitors will have accesses to a host of leisure and entertainment activities that have not been available before and gives them a feeling of a beach resort for the community."

The ongoing Corniche Project, which is transforming the Corniche into a highly interactive environment for the community, will also enhance safety by improving street-crossing access for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The new Corniche will not only provide better access to Abu Dhabi's gulf waters and views, but will also provide an improved family oriented experience. Besides this, the Corniche will also offer new facilities such as enhanced pedestrian amenities including a new beach boardwalk, lighting, shading improved cycling facilities, sports facilities for football, beach volleyball, skateboarding and rollerblading, and improved access to the beaches and waterfront to the world's best standards.

Increased cultural and environmental activities and events will be complemented with 26 new retail, food and beverage outlets. Among the opportunities offered by the new vendors, visitors to the Abu Dhabi Corniche will also discover new indoor and outdoor dining venues which will offer choices of distinct local and international flavours.

Transportation enhancements at the four primary intersections along the Corniche Road will improve pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety and will be augmented with enhanced cycling paths and shuttle buses. A new parking lot near the Public Beach will be complemented with a convenient park and ride service with stops at each of the six entry points into the Abu Dhabi Public Beach.

The new logo representing Abu Dhabi Beaches will be the new identity used to brand the Corniche Beach when the new facilities re-open to the public. The new identity uses Arabic calligraphy to create a sense of a wave gently breaking onto the shore. It also incorporates a dhow sail as part of the calligraphy connecting the beach to Abu Dhabi's proud maritime heritage. The new identity communicates all the fun and excitement of a day out at the beach while retaining an air of sophistication that perfectly compliments the Abu Dhabi brand.

"The new identity will be used to brand the upgraded Corniche Beach when it opens with improved facilities that includes food and beverage kiosks, beach rentals, improved access and parking and new walkways and landscaping. Ultimately the intention is to brand all future public beaches as part of the Abu Dhabi Beaches family to create a collection of beach destinations with superb facilities and beautiful settings," added Al Ahbabi.

The Corniche Project is being done at a time when beach usage is at its lowest to ensure that the enhanced beach and waterfront amenities will be ready for residents and visitors to enjoy the best beach seasons of the year. The current work on the Corniche Project, which may require certain temporary road diversions as it nears completion, is being completed in record time by a team of local and international consultants and contractors.

A number of influences such as cultural, environmental and aesthetic are shaping Abu Dhabi's urban design framework and will allow people to contribute in the development of the City and the overall vision of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030. The UPC invites all residents to visit its website www.upc.gov.ae to find out more about the new shape of the Corniche Public Beach and the meaning of "Ultimate Beach Experience" under the progressive Vision 2030 Plan.