Department Of Urban Planning And Municipalities

General information

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) is the strategic planning agency for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which supports the realisation of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 through the creation and continuing evolution of an Emirate-wide strategic framework plan.

It is responsible for defining the shape of the Emirate, along with the associated land uses, to ensure the development of professionally designed, sustainable and well-managed urban environments, which incorporate world-class transport and infrastructure systems and support the implementation of Economic Vision 2030.

The mandate of the UPC is five-fold and Emirate-wide:

1. Develop comprehensive plans for blocks, neighbourhoods, districts and regions, both for the creation of new communities and the revitalisation of existing communities.

2. Assist in the implementation of all plans created by guiding, monitoring and working with those responsible for implementation.
3. Develop regulations, guidelines and policies that will help guide planning and development.

4. Review and assess major strategic developments to ensure alignment with Plans Capital 2030, Al Ain 2030, Al Gharbia 2030 and Maritime 2030, and in compliance with internal and external plans, policies and regulations and guidelines.

5. Ensure Estidama principles of sustainability are embedded – based on Estidama’s four pillars (Environment, Economy, Society and Culture) - and are incorporated into the built and natural environment through the mandatory Estidama Pearl Rating System.