UPC announces Al Saad Master Plan containing hundreds of new villa plots for UAE Nationals in Al Ain

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16 Dec 2015

The master plan for a new residential community with 306 new plots for UAE Nationals in Al Ain has been completed, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) announced today.

The Al Saad development is located in between two existing residential neighbourhoods of Ramlat Al Saad, forming one complete sustainable community, offering a wide range of amenities including parks, schools, shops, mosques, a clinic and a community centre. The new development will increase the existing population of 2,200 residents by approximately 3,130 residents following completion.

With the provision of UAE National Housing in Al Ain remaining a top priority, many of Abu Dhabi’s government agencies are collaborating on housing developments across the region and the wider Emirate. The Al Saad Master Plan has been developed by the UPC in consultation with the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) and Al Ain City Municipality. The project is in line with the key principles of Plan Al Ain 2030, the strategic framework plan that outlines the physical development of the approximately 13,100 km2region.

The community has been tailored to the needs of the residents of Al Saad. Through extensive research and consultation with stakeholders, the master plan has been devised to ensure the development of a complete community that is safe, walkable, attractive and sustainable. Community facilities will include two schools, three retail outlets, a clinic, a number of mosques, a community centre and 14 parks interspersed throughout the community.

“The Al Saad Master Plan is a significant project for Al Ain, the UPC and its partners,” said Abdulla Al Sahi, Executive Director, Corporate Services Sector and Acting Executive Director, Planning & Infrastructure Sector, UPC. “The provision of high-quality housing for UAE Nationals is a priority for Leadership. Creating communities strengthens our social ties and helps to preserve our culture and traditions. As a result, housing is a core component of Vision 2030 and, therefore, is central to the plans we create at the UPC.

“The UPC is focused not just on the urban planning of Abu Dhabi’s Capital Region, but of the Western and Eastern regions as well, so that all UAE Nationals across the Emirate have access to high quality, liveable and sustainable communities. This approach is in line with the UPC’s Complete Sustainable Communities Initiative, which aims to develop high-quality communities for all. The Al Saad Master Plan is another step closer for the Abu Dhabi Government towards achieving that goal.” He added.

His Excellency Ali Khalifa Al Qemzi, Executive Director of Planning & Projects, ADHA, said: “The Al Saad project which will be planned, designed and built in accordance with the Abu Dhabi National Housing Guidelines for Integrated Communities issued by the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority that aims at creating sustainable and complete housing communities. These communities shall be characterised by the highest levels of quality and efficiency standards thereby satisfying the safety and comfort of current and future generations of UAE Nationals. The Abu Dhabi National Housing Guidelines for Integrated Communities compiles all the requirements and regulations that are associated with UAE National Housing in a unified, coordinated and consolidated document that will ensure that, with over 300 housing plots to be allocated to the Al Saad area, those UAE Nationals will be able to live in high-quality family homes within an attractive community setting.”

“Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) has been tasked with the detailed master planning, design and execution of the project and it is scheduled to be completed in October 2018 in accordance with the approved Project Plan.” he added.
The site for the Al Saad community was identified through a series of discussions between Al Ain Municipality Town Planning unit and the UPC’s Al Ain Planning team. The topography of the area was predominantly well-graded and, as essential infrastructure was already in place, it suited the development of more residential plots.

Somewhat unique to the development, the sand dune systems to the north of the project area are an important visual characteristic of Al Saad. These landscapes were a major consideration when laying out and orientating the community.

Al Sahi commented: “When planning, we are very careful to study the existing landscape of the individual area to try and ensure that any environmental and ecological assets are preserved and protected. We have incorporated the sand dune systems into the design of Al Saad to enable the community to feel connected to the local environment and enjoy the scenic views created.”

The UPC’s suite of ‘Complete Sustainable Communities’ manuals and regulations, including the Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual, Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual and Abu Dhabi Utility Corridors Design Manual have played a significant role in the master plan design.

Furthermore, the use of the Abu Dhabi Community Facility Planning Standards and Abu Dhabi Mosque Development Regulations have specified the type, number and specification of the facilities to be incorporated into the community.

Al Saad is one of 17 settlements in Al Ain that are included within Plan Al Ain 2030, joining Al Salamat and Al Yahar as dominant Emirati housing areas in the western sub-region. With multiple projects under construction across the region, including the highly anticipated Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park and the Etihad Rail line, Al Ain is fast becoming a hub for a diverse number of sectors, including tourism, manufacturing, aviation, research and development, and education.

Other proposed projects in the region under Plan Al Ain 2030 include environmental stewardship, improvements to transportation and infrastructure networks and improved access to healthcare, education and government services, a civic centre, mosques, schools, and other community facilities.

Plan Al Ain 2030 was designed to provide a framework for the region to achieve managed and responsible growth, without sacrificing its cultural and historical significance for future generations. The plan highlights environmental respect, social health, cultural identity and economic development as key aims.