The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was created by Emiri decree in 2007 to manage the Emirate’s urban growth. Part of the UPC’s mandate is to ensure public and private land and infrastructure development proposals are in line with the Emirate’s long term development vision, Plan Abu Dhabi/Al Ain/Western Region 2030.

As such, all major developments are subject to a review process which itself forms part of a longer-term strategy for Abu Dhabi’s urban development. Every development must fit within the framework contained within the Plan, as well as adhering to other government regulations, policies and guidelines.

By overseeing development on this scale, the Urban Planning Council ensures that growth is managed and that transport and utility infrastructures provide for growth across the entire Emirate. Central to this process is the principle of sustainability, which ensures that supply and demand are balanced based on long-term growth projections.

The Urban Planning Council liaises with other government departments, such as the Department of Transport, the Environment Agency, municipalities and utility providers to discuss relevant development proposals, and to co-ordinate a central, considered response to infrastructure demands.

All decisions are made, based on detailed recommendations from review and planning officials, by members of the Urban Planning Council. This consists of several members of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi and is chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UPC has established a streamlined process to review development proposals. This process includes 4 steps: Enquiry; Pre-Concept Stage; Concept Planning Review; and Detailed Planning Review. The UPC uses this review process for two main purposes:

The Process in Detail

The review process provides developers with the Urban Planning Council’s expertise, and allows them to take advantage of the unique opportunities provided in Plan 2030, and by the government’s environmental and economic policies, to create worldclass, sustainable developments.

All development proposals that require UPC development review must go through each of the following 4 steps.

Step 1

Enquiry Meeting
The first step of the development review process is an enquiry meeting. At this meeting UPC staff will explain the UPC development review process and outline the plans, policies and guidelines that are applicable to the site. Staff will provide information on emerging initiatives (e.g. new policies, infrastructure investments) that could influence or affect the site development or design processes. The UPC will issue an official response and guidance to move the design and project forward to the next step.

Step 2

Step 4

Detailed Planning Review
Once concept planning approval is granted, an applicant can apply for detailed planning review. Detailed planning review addresses more specific site and building design issues such as;

• The exterior architectural character and expression of all structures;
• The relationship of buildings to each other and the public realm.
• Landscaping and public realm treatments.
• Sustainability implementation strategies for the site and building.
• Streetscape designs with typical streetscape sections cross referenced to site plans.
• Plans and diagrams showing pedestrian and cycling facilities.
• Universal (barrier free) Access Design illustrating how people move through the development regardless of age, mobility, level of impairment, or social grouping.