Changes in design regulations

The two organisations announced a change in design regulations, which increases the flexibility of the guidelines within the MBZ development and affects the tower developments in the Z6/1, ME8, ME9, Z9, and Z29 sectors of MBZCity, located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi Island.

Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of the Urban Planning Council, said the revisions to the design guidelines will allow more mix of apartments without sacrificing the quality and provision of services intended in the master plan.

According to the approved master plan, every tower to be built in MBZ City has a defined maximum allowed built-up area. The design regulations will now outline to plot owners the maximum allowable number of units per building type. With these two parameters, plot owners can decide on the apartment mix to be used.

“We reviewed objectively the need for changes in the interpretation of the design guidelines, aiming to ensure that plot owners could maximise their investment as well as respond to market demands.

The decision to implement this policy is also a safeguard to ensure unbiased treatment for every plot owner,” said Al Ahbabi.

“All other regulations will remain as issued and as per the approved master plan. This new regulation, in combination with the design guidelines already published, will ensure that the targeted quality of living as well as the envisioned spirit of the development are maintained,” he added.

Al Ahbabi said the ideal mix across would likely be, by area, 25 per cent one-bedroom apartments, 60 per cent two-bedroom apartments, 10 per cent three-bedroom apartments and five per cent four-bedroom apartments.