Early in the twenty-first century, Abu Dhabi was the quintessential boom town as the proceeds from vast oil production transformed its traditional landscape. But since 2007, the Emirate has become a showcase where explosive piecemeal expansion was superseded by visionary planning and development management – with a deliberate focus on sustainability, livability, and cultural sensitivity.
Planning the Future of Abu Dhabi explains this dramatic transformation. Working with Abu Dhabi colleagues, Canadians led the founding of a progressive planning agency. Their rapid and comprehensive process resulted in state-of-the-art guidance for development, including thorough urban and regional plans, a development control system, transportation innovations, environmental stewardship, and training for handover to local management.
Larry Beasley, the overall project leader, and Michael White, the key in-country lead, bring together the Canadians to tell the story of how the Emirate was repositioned as a model in the Middle East for advanced, responsible growth.
Table of Contents:
Foreword / Jonathan Barnett
Introduction: The Abu Dhabi Planning Challenge / Larry Beasley
The Beginnings
1 Finding the Right Expertise to Address Rapid Growth / John A. Thomas
2 Being Found: Partners Come Together / Larry Beasley
3 The Governance Context in Contrast to Western Experience / Michael White and William Logan
Getting Off the Ground
4 Designing the New Planning Agency / Ray Spaxman
5 The New Planning Agency Takes Off / Michael White
6 Project Management: Bringing Strangers Together / William Logan
7 The Charrette Process: Rapid Design Collaboration / Maginnis Cocivera
8 Photographs Capture the Essence of Place and Process / Marina Dodis
9 First Impressions Chart a Planning Agenda / Joe Hruda
10 Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Reconciling Prime Principles with Local Traditions / Larry Beasley
Creating the Vision for 2030
11 Abu Dhabi 2030: Planting the Stake for Contemporary Urbanism / Dan Daszkowski and Larry Beasley
12 2030 Planning Moves Across the Emirate: The Management Challenge / Desiree Drewitt
13 Al Ain 2030: Expanding the Historic City / Dan Daszkowski and Larry Beasley
14 Al Ain Planning: Elaborations and Impressions / Barbara Lindsay and Norman Hotson
15 Al Gharbia 2030: Shaping the Emirate's Western Region (Now Al Dhafra) / Dan Daszkowski and Larry Beasley
16 Al Gharbia Planning: Elaborations and Impressions / Mark Holland
17 Ariaf Al Ain 2030: Shaping the Emirate's Eastern Region / Dan Daszkowski
18 Public Engagement in an Islamic Context: The Neighbourhood Majlis / Lia Gudaitis
Delivering the Vision
19 Creating a New Planning and Regulatory Framework / Michael White
20 Charting a New Course for Development Review / John Madden
21 Observations on Development Review / Jaret Lang
22 The Agenda for the Natural Environment / Neil Mallen
23 The Agenda for a Sustainable Built Environment: The Estidama Program / John Madden
24 The Agenda for Transportation and Infrastructure / Michael White
25 The Agenda for Urban Design: Elaborating the 2030 Plans / Sonny Tomic
The National Capital District and Masdar City Initiatives
26 Managing the Creation of a New National Capital / Joanne Proft
27 Designing a National Capital / Dan Daszkowski
28 The Masdar City Initiative: Innovation Beyond Our Planning Program / Aaron Moguin
The Handover
29 Building Capacity for the Transition / Michael White
30 The Training Agenda: Continuing Education as a Tool for Change / David Witty
31 Training Through Design: The MBZ City Charrette/ Scot Hein
Strangers No More: The Canadian Legacy in Abu Dhabi
32 Reflections of the Senior Canadian Planner in Residence / Michael White
33 Insights of the Senior Canadian Special Advisor on Planning / Larry Beasley
Acknowledgments; Selected Bibliography; Illustration Credits; Contributors; Index
