Authorities in Abu Dhabi Municipality have put in place a compulsory urban planning framework where developers will be required to consider the quality of life, walkability and integration into the communities in all future large-scale real estate developments.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has launched the ‘Liveability by Design’ framework that is overseen by the Urban Planning and Permitting Center (UPPC). The compulsory update in the regulations is aimed at master plans for populations that will exceed 2,000 people that include residential communities, mixed-use developments and significant tourism hubs in the emirate.
Urban liveability indicators have to be considered by the developer during the spatial design stage, starting from the conceptual stage.
Evaluation criteria focus on walkable neighbourhood layouts, connected public transit routes, universal accessibility, and high-quality public open spaces. UPPC Director-General Eng. Abdulla Mohamed Alblooshi emphasised that urban growth must be evaluated by the everyday wellbeing of residents rather than physical footprint alone, noting that initial approvals directly shape the liveability of communities for generations to come.
To prevent administrative friction and maintain planning certainty, the DMT retained existing submission channels and approval timelines while providing developers with an updated assessment checklist, submission templates, and detailed technical guidance. UPPC Activation and Development Control Sector Acting Executive Director Eng. Mansour Al Harbi noted that establishing clear parameters early in the design phase will improve submission consistency, support more predictable regulatory reviews, and ensure developments are responsive to community needs.
The policy rollout aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strong position on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Global Liveability Index, where it stands as the most liveable city in the MENA region. The initiative also arrives amid sustained real estate expansion across the UAE capital. During the first quarter of 2026 alone, the DMT authorized 20.8 million square meters of gross floor area—a 17.3 percent year-on-year increase—reflecting rapid developer activity. By embedding mandatory livability benchmarks directly into early-stage master planning, Abu Dhabi reinforces its strategic goal to balance rapid real estate expansion with human-centric, sustainable urban design.
