Abu Dhabi // An address for every home in Abu Dhabi has moved a crucial step closer.
Planners behind the ambitious project officially launched it on Tuesday, with the aim of every building in the capital having a unique address by the end of next year.
Every street will be named, homes and offices will have their own unique address, new geonames reflecting history, culture and heritage will appear and all street signs will be replaced with an emirate-wide standard.
Initially 14 thoroughfares in the capital will be renamed, including 4th Street, or Muroor Road, which becomes First Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Street; and 6th Street, or Najda Street, which will become Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Street.
"Where we live helps define who we are and where we want to go. A smart, new addressing system for Abu Dhabi will establish a unique identity for the emirate, combining a fresh, modern outlook with the best of our local culture," said Majid Al Mansouri, chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs.
“In establishing the first universal and unified addressing system we are leading the emirate into a smarter future.”
Planners believe the new address system will boost tourism, enhance business, cut emergency response times and reduce air pollution.
It will also herald the end of the haphazard, landmark location methods used by residents and visitors.
While based on globally recognised standards, the system will also reflect Emirati culture and heritage. Local experts were consulted and the signage has been transliterated rather than translated.
A new brand has also been established – “Onwani” (My Address), which will be introduced as part of a public awareness campaign.
“We are trying to keep the existing names unless there is some problem,” said Dr Abdullah Ghareeb Al Bloushi, the department’s executive director.
“And most of the major street names will remain the same, but the problem is with the internal streets. At the same time, we try to reduce the confusion and frustration.”
About 6,000 to 7,000 streets in Greater Abu Dhabi will be given new names, because many new projects and older streets do not have proper ones. The municipality will announce more details on the implementation plans in two weeks’ time.
Replacement of the old street signs is under way in Al Falah, Al Bahia, Al Maryah Island and Al Nahyan area, which has been renamed from Al Nahyan Camp.
It is the largest project ever undertaken by the municipality system in the emirate, with Al Ain and Al Gharbia’s system to be in operation by the end of 2015.
Across the emirate, 12,000 street names, 200 district names and 20,000 road signs will be created, and 200,000 addresses will be simplified.
Upon completion, the system will be a distinct innovation to life and work in the emirate, helping to create a unique identity, the department said.
The new address system will also incorporate the latest technology, providing smart solutions for residents, businesses and visitors.
“By incorporating the latest technology it will provide fast and efficient information, allowing residents, companies and visitors to go about their everyday business more intelligently and efficiently so they are able to enjoy more of what the emirate of Abu Dhabi has to offer,” Dr Al Bloushi said.
He said the system would improve response times for emergency services, provide a more accurate record of demographics, improve delivery of services and make it easier to travel.
The addressing system will also reduce air pollution and the CO2 footprint through decreased travel time and fuel consumption.
It will also use modern technology, such as mobile apps and quick response codes on every street sign, to provide pinpoint location that can be shared between service providers, Dr Al Bloushi said.
A major publicity campaign about the system is in the works and will be implemented in the next few weeks.
anwar@thenational.ae
