Abu Dhabi is putting the quality of everyday life at the heart of how its cities are planned and built, with a new framework designed to ensure that major urban developments are judged not just by what they deliver, but by how well they serve the people who live in them.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has introduced the Livability by Design Framework, a strengthened master planning assessment framework that places livability at the centre of major urban development and supports Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision of creating healthier, more connected and people-focused communities.
The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s broader Livability Strategy, which seeks to enhance quality of life through integrated urban planning, sustainable mobility, accessible public spaces and people-centred neighbourhood design.
The move reinforces DMT’s mandate to develop communities that contribute positively to long-term wellbeing, while supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global destination of choice to live, work and invest, the department said.
Overseen by the Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC), the Livability by Design Framework applies to new and updated master plans accommodating more than 2,000 people, including mixed-use developments and tourism destinations.
Moving beyond traditional planning requirements, it embeds livability into every major development from the outset—ensuring communities are designed around people through walkable neighbourhoods, connected mobility, vibrant public spaces, universal accessibility and high-quality public realm that support healthier, more inclusive and resilient communities.
Eng Abdulla Mohamed Alblooshi, Director General of the UPPC, said: “Every master plan approved today will shape how people live for generations. Through the Livability by Design Framework, we are ensuring that growth is measured not only by what is built, but by the quality of life it creates. This framework reinforces Abu Dhabi’s commitment to designing communities where people feel connected, families thrive, businesses prosper and every neighbourhood contributes to a healthier, more vibrant city.”
Ahead of implementation, UPPC has completed an updated assessment checklist, supporting guidance documents, submission templates and communication materials. The existing submission and approval process will remain unchanged, enabling developers to integrate the new framework seamlessly while maintaining planning certainty and efficiency.
Eng Mansour Al Harbi, Acting Executive Director of the Activation & Development Control Sector at the UPPC, said: “The Livability by Design Framework provides greater clarity and consistency for developers from the earliest stages of project design. By defining livability expectations upfront, we are enabling developments that deliver stronger community outcomes while supporting efficient planning and more predictable approval processes. The result is a built environment that is more accessible, connected and responsive to the evolving needs of Abu Dhabi’s communities.”
The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s broader Livability Strategy, enhancing quality of life through integrated urban planning, sustainable mobility, accessible public spaces and people-centred neighbourhood design.
It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing international reputation for planning excellence, building on its position as the most liveable city in the MENA region according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Global Liveability Index, while supporting the emirate’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading destinations to live, work and invest, said the statement. -TradeArabia News Service