Emirati housing projects attract regional interest

Highlighting the UPC’s commitment to providing world-class housing communities for Emirati families across the Emirate through its National Housing Programme announced earlier in April, Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, UPC Director Planning Policies and Infrastructure, presented two major National Housing projects yesterday to H.E Dr. Showaish bin Saudi bin Duwaihi Al-Duwaihi, Minister of Housing of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who had shown a strong interest in the two sites that were selected. 

Through UPC that is acting as the central authority working towards the development of appropriate Emirati housing infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, such interest from another major GCC country demonstrates the recognition received by the Abu Dhabi Government for its commitment to delivering new Emirati communities, thereby ensuring that UAE Nationals have access to high-quality housing facilities constructed to the highest standards of quality and sustainability through an alignment with Estidama’s overarching principles. 

The two projects are an integral part of the overall programme to deliver 13,000 villas, which is being implemented under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and the guidance of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. 

The two visits, led by Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, provided the Saudi delegation with a detailed overview of two key Emirati Housing projects: Al Falah, developed by Aldar Properties and Yas Island Villas, developed by Royal Development Company. The Saudi Minister admitted having being impressed by the projects and the final delivery quality. 

The Al Falah and Yas Island National Housing projects are both tangible steps in fulfilling one of the key assigned objectives of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030,which is to raise the standard of living for all citizens through the creation of vibrant, mixed-use communities and the provision of a diverse range of housing to meet their evolving needs. In total, more than 13,000 villas are committed to be delivered to UAE Nationals under the high priority National Housing Programme. 

Al Falah consists of five villages and a range of community amenities. As clearly highlighted to the Saudi Minister, each of the five villages is arranged around its own ‘neighbourhood centre that contains a landscaped market square as well as a mix of local shops and amenities. Homes at Al Falah are available in three distinct styles that blend traditional and contemporary design whilst preserving local and Islamic living patterns. With almost 5,000 new homes, the Al Falah project will effectively create a new town in Abu Dhabi. 

The Yas Island project consists of 500 high-quality villas built over 78 hectares and will be complemented by a range of world-class amenities, all based on the traditional ‘fareej’ design. Linking private family homes via small shaded pedestrian pathways called ‘sikkak’ with a series of informal meeting areas and parks known as ‘barahaat’, the fareej design promotes the creation of a vibrant and well-connected neighbourhood. The housing typology is based on the courtyard design format: homes have a central courtyard located within them. Courtyard houses enable families to enjoy a private, outdoor area within their own home without being overlooked by adjacent plots and offers them the opportunity to sit in the shade and enjoy the breezes that are created as a result of this design that is both sustainable and responsive to the climate.  

Commenting on the purpose of the on-site visit, H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, the UPC’s General Manager said: “We are honoured by the presence of H.E Dr. Showaish bin Saudi bin Duwaihi Al Duwaihi and the interest and credit the Saudi Arabian Government has given to our Leadership’s achievements. During the visit, and through showcasing these two selected housing projects, we have demonstrated that when offering a diverse range of housing options, liveability must always remain as the driving force across all projects. Throughout the creation of our masterplans, policies and developments, elements such as how Emirati families will live and enjoy their homes and what types of facilities, infrastructure and open space will be required to provide them with secure and attractive surroundings are consistently integrated into all of our projects.” 

The Al Falah and Yas Island Housing Projects illustrate the UPC’s objective of creating ‘complete communities’. They reflect the vision of sustainable neighbourhoods that mix residences, shopping, services and recreation to create liveable and convenient places while integrating a variety of community assets including open space, community vitality, walkability and transit-orientated development. 

After the Government’s success in delivering the first 488 villas to UAE Nationals in August, the UPC is currently working on delivering the next batch, which totals over 6000 villas in 2012. 

All of the villas have been carefully crafted through best practice planning, design and construction, with the commitment to establishing sustainable, world-class communities that help protect the UAE’s rich and unique culture and heritage. 

“Work on progress for National Housing Programs is on schedule. By providing our people with first-class communities that address their modern needs while enabling them to enjoy a lifestyle in harmony with our culture,the Government’s Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 is laying the foundations for the development of a leading 21^st century Arab Emirate that is based on a range of factors to ensure sustainable growth. Among them, a high quality of living plays a central role,” added Al Ahbabi.