Abu Dhabi’s Dh42 Billion Walkable City: A Blueprint for Sustainable Urban Living
Abu Dhabi is taking a monumental leap into the future of urban planning with an ambitious Dh42-billion initiative designed to transform the emirate into a fully integrated, “walkable city.” This groundbreaking plan aims to drastically reduce car dependency by ensuring residents can navigate their neighbourhoods and the city centre primarily on foot, via modern public transit, or using micromobility options like e-scooters.
Formally approved as a core component of the expanded Abu Dhabi Liveability Strategy, this project represents a major step forward in the emirate’s ongoing efforts to enhance overall quality of life. It underscores a strong commitment to fostering community wellness, promoting environmental responsibility, and creating a more inclusive, sustainable urban environment that benefits residents, visitors, and future generations alike.
Building the Foundation: Key Infrastructure and Smart Technology
The first phase of the strategy is already demonstrating remarkable success. Data shows neighbourhood integration has surged from 67% pre-2023 to a projected 81% by 2025. To support this enhanced connectivity, over 60 projects valued at Dh12 billion have been prioritized.
This massive infrastructure push includes:
Active Transport Networks: The creation of more than 120 km of dedicated walking paths and an extensive 283 km of cycling tracks.
Enhanced Social Infrastructure: The development of 24 new schools, 21 mosques, and 28 community majlises to serve residents.
Green & Recreational Spaces: The addition of over 200 new parks and sports courts, alongside 200 beautification works to enhance the urban landscape.
Safety & Ambiance: The upgrade of 220 km of street lighting to ensure safer and more pleasant journeys for pedestrians and cyclists, day and night.
Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated to streamline government services, improve operational efficiency, and ensure responsive delivery of community services within these newly connected neighbourhoods.
Fostering Integrated Communities and Social Well-Being
At the heart of the Abu Dhabi Liveability Strategy is the “15-minute city” concept. The goal is to ensure that daily essentials—including schools, parks, places of worship, and retail—are all within a comfortable 15-minute walk from residents’ homes.
This design offers profound benefits:
Convenience for Families: Residents report that new neighbourhood-level parks and playgrounds are already making daily life more convenient, especially for families with young children.
Healthier Lifestyles: The layout naturally encourages walking and cycling, integrating physical activity into daily routines.
Stronger Social Bonds: By bringing amenities closer together, the plan fosters spontaneous interaction and builds a stronger sense of community belonging.
Health, Environment, and Mental Wellness Benefits
Public health experts highlight the multifaceted benefits of this green, walkable urban model.
Physical Health: Choosing to walk or cycle instead of drive directly improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and boosts overall fitness.
Mental Well-being: Easy access to green spaces, gardens, and community gathering points is proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, while also supporting general mood stability.
Environmental Impact: The increase in green areas will improve air quality, provide vital cooling shade in Abu Dhabi’s climate, and help mitigate the urban heat island effect.
The Vision Ahead: A Connected, Sustainable, and Inclusive Future
Beyond easing daily mobility, Abu Dhabi’s Walkable City project seeks to fundamentally shift how residents think about travel, encouraging eco-friendly and health-conscious choices. By reducing traffic congestion, the plan directly supports the UAE’s broader sustainability and net-zero goals.
Social cohesion remains a central theme, with community spaces like mosques, parks, and youth majlises providing vital venues for interaction, shared experience, and cultural exchange. The Abu Dhabi Liveability Strategy represents a masterful balancing act—managing rapid growth while prioritising green infrastructure, social connectivity, and an unparalleled quality of life. If successful, it will position Abu Dhabi not just as a dynamic global capital, but as a healthier, more inclusive, and deeply connected city for generations to come.
