The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City is braced for launching a host of property developments and service projects capable of bolstering the municipal assets in tourist, recreational and business fields.
The projects are set to be undertaken in partnership, cooperation and integration with the private sector under the Build, Operate ‘&’ Transfer (BOT) model, without involving the allocation of any public funding for the implementation of these projects.
These projects comprise two parts; the first is related to the rehabilitation ‘&’ upgrading of the existing municipal assets and examining the strategy of managing them, and the second is related to the launch of new investment projects as well as entertainment and service facilities.
This drive epitomises the vision of Abu Dhabi Government aimed at propping up the comprehensive development drive, upgrading public facilities, and introducing new projects needed by the community for the sake of proving integrated modern services in a civilised manner conforming to the highest international standards, besides bolstering the cooperation and integration links with the private sector.
This initiative has received a huge support and patronage culminated in an endorsement accorded by the esteemed Executive Council of a number of submitted projects; which augers well for the start of a new era featuring the provision of modern ‘&’ stylish services, and world-class facilities in a hospitable investment environment capable of leveraging the development rates, and realizing the vision of Abu Dhabi Government and its comprehensive futuristic plan Abu Dhabi 2030.
In keeping with the strategy of Abu Dhabi city for developing community-oriented projects spanning the entirety of Abu Dhabi city, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City stated that it is aspiring to build a network of communal markets based on ‘3 in 1’ concept through the private sector. These centres encompass three key elements i.e. Community Service Center, Customers Service Center, and suitable Retail Outlets.
The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City has chalked out a detailed plan identifying the social and economical benefits accruing from the instant development of retail, recreational and community service outlets in Abu Dhabi City such that the project will encompass the construction of sports, educational and public service facilities geared to the living communities within the Community Service Center. Moreover, restaurants, cafes, and high-class recreational outlets are crucial components for the lifestyle of living residents, and the provision of integrated services linked to the community services.
A Master Plan has been developed for the Communal Markets throughout Abu Dhabi city and these projects have been divided into Community Center and District Center, depending on the population density as well as the scope and nature of services needed by residents. The Community Center will serve around 6 to 10 thousand persons and the total floor area might hit 7,000 square meters. The District Center will serve 30 to 40 thousand persons with a total floor area of up to 21 thousand square meters.
The Municipal Markets initiative illustrates the commitment of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City to improve the caliber of communal services and provide all he means enabling decent life to residents at the highest international standards.
Office spaces will be provided at some of these centers where possible targeting SMEs, startup companies and other creative concepts.
The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City stated that the plan envisaged the construction of 40 Communal Markets mostly located in the Mainland of Abu Dhabi city, and 8 projects have actually been tendered out of a targeted 40 projects and ready construction agreements have been submitted for six out of the eight projects.
The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City indicated that as part of projects endorsed by the Municipal Council is a service-investment project the first of its kind encompassing the construction of a series of rest houses on highways at world-class standards and fitting them with superb services. Some of these rest house projects have been put out to auction and others will be auctioned off to investors from the private sector during this year.
The Rest Houses project involves multiple benefits in terms of serving the needs of road users, and easing the existing traffic issues through relocating the existing restaurants, which constitute a threat to the traffic safety, to the new project site when completed. It will also provide attractive investment opportunities for a number of small enterprises which are privileged by the support of Khalifa Fund, generating a sustainable long-term income, and serving the Municipality’s objectives of improving highway services level.
The project will also enhance the standards of safety, health and quality of services, provide ample space for parking vehicles without impacting the traffic safety, improve the appearance of the public road and accordingly the city, enhance the shopping experience ‘&’ taking foods in a healthy ‘&’ safe environment, and creating more job opportunities.
