The Urban Planning and Permits Centre at the Department of Municipalities and Transport has mandated the application of the Livability by Design Framework to every major urban development in Abu Dhabi. Abdullah Mohammed Al Blooshi presented the framework at the World Cities Summit in Singapore this July, where it was highlighted as a global success story. The initiative seeks to create holistic, people-centric districts that enhance resident quality of life through integrated planning, according to the centre.
Abu Dhabi’s centralized administrative model under the department has facilitated management of 51 per cent population growth over the past 10 years. Officials employ real-time data and resident feedback to adjust development goals as demographics change, the centre’s assessment found. This approach ensures that livability remains a core consideration even as the city expands rapidly.
Key performance indicators monitored under the framework include walkability, access to public spaces and proximity to services along with overall resident satisfaction levels. Data collected through these metrics helps direct investments toward parks, recreational facilities and community services that promote social interaction. The department reported that such targeted spending has already yielded measurable improvements in district usability.
Al Blooshi stated at the summit that the event provided a vital platform for sharing Abu Dhabi’s progress. “The World Cities Summit serves as an essential forum for uniting global leaders dedicated to advancing liveable societies, and it was a pleasure to share the strides Abu Dhabi has made, and continues to make, when it comes to improving quality of life from planning and design to execution and delivery,” he said. He added that the discussions underscore the emirate’s dedication to global collaboration for long-term competitiveness.
Related upgrades have seen the addition of 89 parks and 85 kilometres of dedicated cycling tracks across Abu Dhabi, department figures show. These form part of new projects worth Dh200 billion focused on elevating living standards for residents. A strategic partnership with Singapore’s SJ Group will further advance digital solutions, decarbonisation efforts and green housing models within the framework.
The Livability by Design Framework aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader 2030 urban structure plan aimed at sustainable growth. Planners will continue incorporating feedback from international forums to refine implementation across future projects. Department data places the emirate among leading models for resilient city building in the region.
