ABU DHABI // People living in the Al Bateen Airport district and Zafaraneh in the capital have called for the creation of more green space, parking spaces and improvements to old buildings at a community meeting.
The event, called the Al Multaqa forum and hosted by Abu Dhabi Municipality on Tuesday night, gave residents and local business owners the chance to air their views in a public setting.
“The roads are very nice but a lot of the buildings are very old and need to be demolished to attract investors,” said Abdulaziz Al Hashimi, who was looking to buy property in the area.
“In general there is no incentive to invest in that area. Some of the buildings are of a very old design and they should be demolished. You are taking care of the roads but not the buildings themselves,” he told officials.
Mr Al Hashimi was told that because much of the land was privately owned it could take time to upgrade buildings.
“Every year we hope to be up to your standards and we are keen to carry out all the projects and services that realise your visions,” said Khalifa Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the director of Abu Dhabi Municipality.
“We would like to help you in such forums to see whatever you need and listen to your thoughts in order to provide welfare for everybody – targeting for upgrading all the services and projects,” he said.
Several residents complained that there were not enough green spaces for families and children. They also called for a dedicated children and ladies day in Mushrif Park.
“We need a garden to send our children to opposite the Cooperative supermarket,” said Ateeq Al Romaithi.
“There are not enough services. When we call the municipality to complain, I often cannot get through to the right department. If I can talk to the person for just one minute maybe he will be able to answer directly,” he said.
Mr Al Romaithi was assured that all complaints and suggestions made through the municipality’s general number would be responded to – but that it could take time.
Residents were urged to call 800 555 to lodge any complaints or suggestions.
General plans for the Zafaraneh and airport areas include building 13 more children’s parks, 11 mosques and a new kindergarten, to be completed by the end of 2016.
“Both areas contain two parks, five children’s parks, and a recreational facility. A future plan has been envisaged to construct 13 children’s parks among other parks in the region,” said Abdullah Nasir Al Junaibi, director of community services, Abu Dhabi City Municipality.
“The projects also include landscaping in internal roads and promoting natural aesthetics.”
Municipality chiefs asked residents to inform them if any villas in the areas were illegally turned into bachelor accommodation.
Mr Al Junaibi said these meetings offered a chance for the municipality to engage with the public.
“These gatherings offer a platform for engaging in a transparent dialogue, briefing the inhabitants about the projects undertaken in their localities and across the entire capital, and highlighting the importance of these projects in uplifting the lifestyle and standard of the social and economic life in the city.”
More Al Multaqa forums are planned for other areas of Abu Dhabi to hear from as many residents as possible and to get their suggestions for improvements to the local area.
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