The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has unveiled a draft map that incorporates a range of spatial data and maritime research as part of the most thorough geographical and socio-economic study of the Emirate’s coastline ever carried out. Its preparation has been a collaborative effort between the UPC, the Office of H.H. Deputy Supreme Commander of The Armed Forces – Maritime Security Executive Council (ODSC-MSEC), Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), and Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC).
The map formed part of a detailed report shared by the UPC today as it hosted day one of the Plan Maritime 2030 Stakeholder Charette, attended by over 150 representatives from Government agencies and private companies. Stakeholders have come together to receive a project update and, most importantly, participate in the various working sessions that have been designed to give all participants an opportunity to contribute towards the preparation of the Plan. Sessions will be held to review the information that has been collected to date to then identify the constraints and the many opportunities that the Emirate’s coastal and marine areas offer in order to progress Plan Maritime 2030.
Senior executives from the three main agencies responsible for Plan Maritime 2030 – ODSC-MSEC, the UPC and EAD – will speak during the event, which was opened this morning by Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Planning & Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi UPC. Representatives from the Interagency Technical Advisory Committee, along with other representatives of over 90 Government agencies and private companies will be attending the three-day event as part of the comprehensive stakeholder engagement programme for the project.
Following the launch of the Plan Maritime 2030 project in 2013, the project team has been coordinating wide-ranging scientific and socio-economic research on the Emirate’s coastline and its marine areas in order to prepare a coastal and marine spatial plan, which will be the first of its kind in the region. Over the next two days, results of the seven technical studies that have been completed will be shared with delegates attending the Charette so they have a clear understanding of the progress and future direction of the Plan.
The Plan will ensure a balance between the diverse range of uses and activities that occur throughout the Emirate’s waters. For those living in Abu Dhabi, the Plan aims to enhance access to the waterfront, increase the number of public beaches, swimming pools and sea pools, and raise the number of boat launches. New boat launch ramp locations will be identified through the Plan, which will enable safe and secure passenger pick-up and drop-off.
During the Charette, results of the technical surveys that have been completed, which are being utilised as the project team drafts Plan Maritime 2030, will be shared. The studies include information on climate change, coastal vulnerability and adaptation, historical development and heritage resources, recreational boating, recreational user needs and tourism, and planning principles for marine areas, coastline and island development.
As well as presentations, the Charette will include breakout sessions and group discussions. Groups will be focussing on many of the Emirate’s key coastal and marine areas running along its 764 kilometre coastline, including Delma Island and the coastal settlement of Sila’a, in addition to areas around Abu Dhabi Island and right up to the areas north of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and its offshore waters. This will ensure the creation of a comprehensive regional plan for all of the Emirate’s waterways and marine areas.
The maritime economy contributes to about 68 percent of Abu Dhabi GDP, according to data that incorporates sectors including recreation and tourism, extractive industries (e.g. oil and gas), energy, commercial (ports), aquaculture and fishing, marine services and transportation.
As such, the Plan Maritime 2030: Abu Dhabi Coastal and Marine Framework Plan forms a critical part of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Strategy, with a vision for a “safe, secure and sustainable maritime domain” and stated goals including balancing economic growth and societal needs with marine conservation, and providing efficient and environmentally aware maritime transport solutions.
Plan Maritime 2030 is the fourth framework plan to be prepared, and will complement Plan Capital 2030, Plan Al Ain 2030 and Plan Al Gharbia 2030 in supporting the goals of Vision 2030, launched by the Government of Abu Dhabi.