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Al Ain master plan in final stages

AL AIN - The Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi is witnessing tremendous boom in terms of ever-rising population, economic advancement and urbanisation, industrial and agricultural expansion that necessitate careful planning for the future of the whole region.

Work is afoot in the Al Ain Town Planning Department (AATPD) to put the final touches for the Al Ain Master Plan and Traffic and Transportation Study, 2015.

The plan incorporates five phases, "Revision of existing situation of the city, studies of the different sectors, structure plan, local plan and planning procedures and finally the implementation stage," Engineer Ahmed Shareef, Under-Secretary at the AATPD, told a presentation organised by the department yesterday and attended by representatives from the different Al Ain public departments. He also added that the plan is projected to retain the unique characteristics of the city and to foster more cooperation between the different public and private institutions to avoid any duplication in their plans.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the event, which was also attended by Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary at the Ruler's Representative Court in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, Rod Hamilton, of Maunsell Consultancy Services Ltd, Consulting Engineers, and the project manager, said, "The project is divided into two phases, the first will end in August 2005 featuring a new structure plan for the Al Ain urban and rural areas". This phase is followed by One-year period for forming effective means for the plans implementation including execution of the local projects that have budgets like bridges, roads and other utilities."

The crucial aspect of the plan is that, "It is not like the former master plan in Al Ain, this will be reviewed and updated on regular bases," he added.

The previous master plan of Al Ain 1986-2000 included implementation of infrastructure projects likes housing lots, roads and bridges, sewerage system, landscaping, beautification and afforestation. "We will be monitoring the whole process to see whether the plan is on the right track or there are some adjustments needed," he added. "Therefore the plan is not a fixed product that will be produced at the end of the planning process, it will always be subject to process of revision," he said.

Experts from the reputed consultancy company have also shed light on the plan's different aspects like urban and rural development plans, population and employment, industry, commerce, urban design, environment, traffic and transportation, tourism and leisure, housing and community facilities, etc.