New capital city planned for UAE

New capital city planned for UAE
by Amy Glass on Thursday, 17 April 2008
zoomCAPITAL PLAN: The UAE will have a new capital city by 2028. (Getty Images)The UAE will have a new capital city by 2028 under development plans being unrolled through Abu Dhabi’s urban strategy framework.

The city, to be developed in Khalifa City near Abu Dhabi, will be a contemporary Arab city reflecting a sustainable economy rather than uncontrolled growth, UAE daily Khaleej Times reported on Thursday.

Design work has started on the new capital, which will span an area of 4,900 hectares and be located about 15km from Abu Dhabi city, the newspaper said.

Falah Al Ahbabi, director of Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council, told the newspaper the new city would be able to accommodate three million people in less than 25 years.

The headquarters of all federal authorities, ministries and local government offices will be relocated to the new city to decrease pressure on Abu Dhabi city.

The city will also host residential units and office space, in a bid to meet the growing demand for Abu Dhabi commercial and residential property space.

Abu Dhabi launched its development plan last year, Plan Abu Dhabi 2030. The urban development strategy provides a framework for the UAE capital to guide planning decisions.

Under the plan, the city's population is projected to grow from 930,000 to over three million people by 2030.