Abu Dhabi unveils Bateena waterfront designs

As part of Plan Capital 2030, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council – the agency responsible for the future of the emirate's urban environment – yesterday unveiled waterfront design guidelines for Al Bateen area.

The key objective is to provide all property owners and developers along the waterfront with a framework to contribute to the attainment of Plan Capital 2030 goals.

This will be achieved through dedication of land for the design of community access and amenities along the entire waterfront.

"The newly unveiled Bateen Waterfront guidelines, which embody the key elements of Plan Capital 2030, will preserve public connectivity from the waterfront to the primary public access routes of the city and provide continuous open public access at the water's edge for people of all ages and abilities," said Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

"The Bateen waterfront has a special place in the history and development of Abu Dhabi as a waterfront location as it offers residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the importance of Abu Dhabi's rich seafaring history in the development of emirati culture," he added. As per the new guidelines, the waterfront is to be connected physically and visually to the circulation routes of the city. Primary pedestrian connections perpendicular to the waterfront and linking Bainunah Boulevard and the surrounding neighbourhoods will be identified in the Bateen Waterfront Framework Plan and preserved for public use.

These identified routes will provide minimum corridor widths free of built vertical and horizontal constructions for an unobstructed view of the open water. These routes will integrate landscaping, pedestrian scaled lighting, public art and street furniture, way-finding tools and multi-modal transportation uses.

The waterfront will be connected with all future public transit options.

Additionally, the community will have the opportunity to participate in retail, cultural and non-commercial activities.

"The conservation initiative for the Bateen Waterfront adheres to the principles of Estidama, the sustainability initiative managed by the Urban Planning Council," said Al Ahbabi.

"All elements composing the promenade shall be constructed according to the 2006 International Building Code and the Estidama Green Building guidelines," he added.

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