Recently named one of the world's 20 most sustainable cities by a US think tank, Abu Dhabi will help develop strategies for future development.
Recently named one of the world's 20 most sustainable cities by a US think tank, Abu Dhabi will help develop strategies for future development.

Abu Dhabi to develop urban planning code



DALIAN, China // Abu Dhabi yesterday launched a new project with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to develop a code of best practice for urban planning and development. The initiative signals a new level of co-operation between the UAE and the group best known for its annual gathering of global leaders in Davos, Switzerland,

Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Commission and the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development said the new World Sustainable Capitals initiative aims to create a global alliance of urban planning experts, economists and industry executives to identify strategies for sustainable urban development. The initiative plans to present its initial findings and recommendations at the forum's next annual Middle East meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, in October of next year.

"In the next two decades, an increasing part of the population will be concentrated in mega-cities around the world," said Fahad al Raqbani, the deputy director general of the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development. "Sustainable development and urban planning are at the very heart of the upcoming challenges." André Schneider, the WEF managing director and chief operating officer, said: "The forum recognises the importance of city development in creating a sustainable, ecological future and its key link to economic recovery. Abu Dhabi is taking the lead in creating links between cities across the world to share best practices for urban planning and sustainable growth and the Forum shares this objective."

Thanks to accelerating urbanisation, many of the world's most pressing environmental and social problems are becoming concentrated in its largest cities. While only 10 per cent of the world's population lived in cities 100 years ago, roughly half now does, and by 2050, experts estimate that 70 per cent of all humans will be urban. Not surprisingly, perhaps, cities already account for 70 per cent of all CO2 emissions and 30 per cent of all greenhouse gases.

The WEF already has a "SlimCity" initiative that brings together cities and the private sector to exchange ideas on how to help cities use resources more efficiently and lower carbon emissions. The new initiative marries that work with the leadership in urban planning already demonstrated by Abu Dhabi in pursuit of the emirate's economic master plan, the Economic Vision 2030. Abu Dhabi officials said the initiative was also likely to culminate in the capital hosting a WEF meeting on sustainable urban development. That would put the city on a shortlist that includes Dubai, Cape Town, New Delhi and Seoul, which regularly host the group's meetings outside Switzerland. The forum's meeting here in Dalian this week, which is being attended by 1,300 people from 86 countries, is its third in China outside Beijing.

The UAE has one of the world's largest carbon footprints, but Abu Dhabi is working to reduce that with several projects currently in development. In addition to Masdar, the zero-carbon city planned near the international airport, the Urban Planning Commission has adopted sustainability, or "estidama" in Arabic, as a holistic philosophy to ensure that the capital's fast-paced development stays in harmony with both the environment and Emirati culture.

Abu Dhabi was recently identified by the Ethisphere Institute, a US think tank, along with Toronto, Singapore and Hyderabad as one of the world's 20 most sustainable cities. Mr al Raqbani said the SlimCity initiative would focus primarily on cities in the Middle East and North Africa, but would also branch out globally to cities such as Singapore and Brasilia. The objective is both to learn from such cities and to offer lessons to those still emerging from Abu Dhabi's own experience.

"This platform is to get people to work together and say 'This is what is working for me as a city,' and to give some basics of methodology," said Mr al Raqbani. warnold@thenational.ae

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results:

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres

Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m

Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m

Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m

Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m

Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m

Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Results

Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent

Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent

Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Match info

Manchester United 1
Fred (18')

Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')

Guide to intelligent investing
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If you go

The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road. 

The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
 

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners