Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs partners with UPC

MoU signed at MLTM - UPC Joint Forum

Abu Dhabi, 13 June 2012: In its ongoing endeavour to promote urban planning strategies and best practices, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), today entered into a cooperation agreement with the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), as the two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to gain and share firsthand experience on internationally recognized urban planning strategies, methods and best practices.

The MoU was announced at the 1st MLTM-UPC Joint Forum (ADSKF) held at ADNEC today. The agreement was signed by Dr. You, Byeong-Kwon, Director General for Urban Policy, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), Republic of Korea and Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Director Planning Policies and Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC).

Highlighting the importance of the agreement, which is part of ongoing collaborations between the Abu Dhabi and Korean governments, Eng. Amer Al Hammadi said: "Knowledge and best practices exchanges are key to developing benchmark urban cities and complete communities sustainable for the next generation. The MoU signed today formally sets a framework to exchange information and experience between the MLTM and UPC and will give us the opportunity to conduct in depth studies and researches on selected areas dedicated to urban development strategy".

Under the agreement, both entities will collaborate to create benchmark urban planning policies and initiatives that are closely integrated with land use, infrastructure and transportation solutions. The mutual working relationships will serve as the ideal platform to explore and identify opportunities and cooperation to exchange best practices. The assigned objective for both entities is to further enhance the multi-stakeholder, integrative and consultative approach already initiated and that integrates and promotes the economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainable urban development.

Under the MoU and to maximize the knowledge transfer process, mutual staff exchange programs will be arranged. The agreement also covers organizing forums on urban planning and development that would pave the way for private sector companies in Korea to participate in sharing and networking sessions with key stakeholders of the planning and development industry in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. You, Byeong-Kwon, Director General for Urban Policy, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), Republic of Korea, said: "The MoU provides a framework for MLTM and UPC to exchange views and experiences in urban planning to enhance each other's planning expertise. It will deepen the relationship between MLTM and UPC and strengthen ties between Abu Dhabi and Korea".

Both entities will collaborate to create initiatives that are closely integrated with land use, infrastructure and transportation solutions. The mutual working relationships will serve as the ideal platform to explore and identify opportunities and cooperation to exchange best practices.

"Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 has laid the foundations for benchmark regional master plans that recognize and respond to cultural, socio-economic and spatial diversity. In the post global financial crisis era, it is essential for Abu Dhabi and the Republic of Korea to continue to address the topic of "Resilience"  and ensure continuous diversified urban development and efficiency to remain attractive places to reside, visit or do business to share valuable experiences," concluded Al Hammadi.