• Four unfinished towers in Mina Zayed Plaza pictured just before the detonation at 8am on Friday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
    Four unfinished towers in Mina Zayed Plaza pictured just before the detonation at 8am on Friday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
  • Hundreds of explosive charges are detonated inside the structures
    Hundreds of explosive charges are detonated inside the structures
  • The buildings collapse in a controlled operation sending debris into a cordoned off port area
    The buildings collapse in a controlled operation sending debris into a cordoned off port area
  • Work on the towers began in 2007 but stalled in the 2009 financial crisis and have stood empty for the past decade
    Work on the towers began in 2007 but stalled in the 2009 financial crisis and have stood empty for the past decade
  • The three smaller towers topple followed by the taller fourth
    The three smaller towers topple followed by the taller fourth
  • In total 144 floors between the four towers were brought down
    In total 144 floors between the four towers were brought down
  • Dust and debris cascades into the surrounding streets, which were cleared by police on Thursday
    Dust and debris cascades into the surrounding streets, which were cleared by police on Thursday
  • Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district
    Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district
  • Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district
    Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district

More than 700 abandoned buildings demolished in Abu Dhabi in 2020


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More than 700 old and abandoned buildings were demolished across Abu Dhabi last year as part of efforts to improve the image of the city.

Abu Dhabi Municipality said the 728 derelict buildings were spread across the emirate and included residences as well as shops.

It called on building owners to ensure their properties were well maintained to avoid potential demolishment, for safety reasons and to avoid "distorting the general appearance of the city".

The municipality said it would post demolition notices in newspapers and on social media, if they are unable to reach the building owner directly.

Owners will have up to 30 days to respond to the notice by contacting the municipality to arrange building maintenance.

If a subsequent visit from inspectors deems the building too dangerous to restore, the demolition will go ahead and the owner will be charged for the process.

Last year, three residential towers that stood in Mina Zayed for almost 10 years were demolished to make way for a redevelopment of the historic area.

Around 6,000kg of explosives brought the towers down in less than 10 seconds in an early morning controlled explosion heard around the city.