His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, chaired the meeting of the Council, held today at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.

The meeting reviewed updates on the progress of the government work and future projects in Abu Dhabi, as well as the most prominent achievements that were realised and the service initiatives offered to citizens and residents and the ways to improve them, in line with government targets and plans.

The Executive Council has approved the distribution of house loans to 1,250 citizens from Abu Dhabi, amounting to Dh2 billion and Dh310 million. The new batch of loans covers the needs and requirements of citizens in terms of building or completing their houses, in different areas of the Emirate.

Further to this, the adoption of the disbursement of new loans confirms the keenness of the wise leadership to provide the highest living standards in harmony with the development that the Emirate is witnessing, in order to ensure the stability of the Emirati family, and provide all the requirements of a decent life whilst providing the Emirati family with accommodation that reflects positively on its social and economic stability.

Housing project for Emiratis

The Executive Council has approved the award of the residential project for citizens in Al Hayer in Al Ain City, which includes 300 residential units and 30 land lots amounting to Dh687 million.

The project covers an area of 153 hectares, and includes road works, infrastructure, and services. In addition, residential villas will be constructed in accordance with the “sustainability” standards, based on the pearl rating.

Urban development in Abu Dhabi

The Council also approved the award of the business district project in Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi – package (1) amounting to approximately Dh1 billion. The project includes the implementation of infrastructure works, such as roads, facilities networks, and power supply to 704 commercial lots.

And upon the completion of the construction works, Madinat Zayed – located in the south of the Abu Dhabi Island – will constitute an integrated multi-use urban center, which will be able to absorb almost 300,000 people and 325,000 workers in the commercial field.

It will also include a public multi-media transportation system, which confirms the commitment of Abu Dhabi to the development of its infrastructure, in order for it to be comparable to world renowned cities, and its quest to complete the improvement of infrastructure in response to economic and demographic growth. It also confirms its commitment to realizing its vision that resides in continuing to work on establishing a confident and safe society and building a sustainable open and competitive economy.

The Executive Council has approved the transfer of Al Zahya development project, amounting to Dh249 million. The project keeps pace with the growing urban development of Abu Dhabi City, in order to contribute to the provision of integrated solutions for this lively area, provide a safe environment for pedestrians, and improve traffic.

The project includes the redesigning of both Al Ferdaws street and 10th Street, cross streets, and internal basins, in addition to the provision of common public spaces and lanes for pedestrians and bicycles. It seeks to completely amend the parking spots and road lighting systems in the area, not to mention improving and reconstructing street entrances and exits surrounding hotels, the Abu Dhabi Mall, and all lively buildings.

Infrastructure

In an effort to continue infrastructure development operations, the improvement of the city’s appearance and the upgrade of integrated service system offered to the community, the Council has approved the award of internal roads and infrastructure projects to 647 accommodations in Al Shawamekh area, the value of which exceeds Dh254 million. The project includes the construction of an internal network of lit roads the length of which will be 28 kilometers, and 5472 parking spots, as well as rainwater drainage, telecommunications, and sewage networks.

Furthermore, the Council approved the award of internal roads and infrastructure projects for the city of Baniyas East 11 in Abu Dhabi City, the value of which is Dh160 million.

The project also includes the provision of infrastructure for 317 residential lots, and the construction of an internal roads network the length of which will be 17.5 kilometers and sidewalks with a length of 34.8 kilometers. The works include 1229 parking spots, in addition to lighting works, rainwater drainage networks and other services.

Moreover, the Council approved the award of internal roads and infrastructure project to the Eastern basin 25 in Abu Dhabi City, which will serve 400 residential and public lots for a cost exceeding 146 million dirhams. The framework will include building internal roads, infrastructure work, and natural beautification.

Such projects fulfill the requirements and aspirations of citizens in the residential field, as they help achieve the targets of the Abu Dhabi plan that seeks comprehensive social development in order to ensure a decent life for all members of the community. The plan also seeks to establish integrated urban areas that fulfill the needs of the community and provides it with a high quality of life, in order to guarantee social stability and suitable accommodation, in accordance with the highest specifications and standards.

The Executive Council approved the award the road efficiency increase project from Al Fayah, to Al Razeen and Al Qua’a, for an amount exceeding Dh377 million. The road works project, the length of which is 140 kilometers, will include improvements that enable road to hold the heavy weights of trucks. It will include the construction of roundabouts, sidewalks, side parking spots, lighting systems, a rainwater drainage network, and protection fences from animals on the loose.

Merging universities

The Executive Council has approved the proposal to merge Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research with Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and the Petroleum Institute, under the umbrella of one single university. It also approved the immediate implementation and the operational framework of the new university, as it instructed the formation of its Board of Trustees, and submitted its establishment law.

The merger aims at placing the unified university among the best universities in the world, and at exploiting existing infrastructures and building on the achievements that have been made in all three universities. It also seeks to reach a high level of operational efficiency that ensures the optimal use of resources.

In addition, the new entity will maintain the current strength points of the three universities whilst building upon the capacities of each of them and improving multidisciplinary academic and research activities, and research achievements in order to preserve their local and global reputation.

School for female students

The Executive Council also approved the design and establisent of second and third cycle school for 2,100 female students at a cost of Dh129 million.

This approval is part of government plans aiming at providing educational facilities that are adapted to the developed educational level offered in the Emirate. It is consistent with the instructions of the wise leadership that constantly confirms the importance of providing a motivating environment for students in order to improve their competences and abilities, while focusing on investing in future generations as they are a key element to ensure the continuity of development and progress in various fields.

Power projects

The Executive Council approved the construction of three primary electricity transfer stations to feed the new developmental projects in Al Ain City, at the cost of Dh190 million. The decision seeks to ensure the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of power supply services, and improve the management of demand by building an integrated power system with various elements.

The project includes the provision and extension of electric cables the length of which is 20 kilometers and fiber optics the length of which is 12.5 kilometers. It also includes the dismantling, transfer and reinstallation of existing compact stations in order to reuse them in other areas of Al Ain City, and the amendment of electrical prevention systems as well as the connection of the stations to the control center.

Louvre Museum

The Executive Council has reviewed updates on the work progress of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum project, which is considered one of the fruits of cultural cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the French Republic. It is one of the leading tourist projects internationally that are characterized by their unique designs. Upon its opening, the museum will help support the development of the tourism sector in the Emirate, and will help achieve the Abu Dhabi plan’s goal to make the Emirate an attractive tourist destination with a unique trait.

Al Ain Zoo and Water Parks

It has reviewed the development projects of the General Corporation of Al Ain Zoo and Water Parks. It was updated on the work progress in Al Ain park and resort project (Safari), the first phase of which has been completed. This phase includes the Oasis Garden, the Safari, the Emirates Desert, the World Desert, the African Desert, the Children’s Discovery Area and the African Village.

At the beginning of the current week and under the patronage of Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Shaikh Hazaa bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the Shaikh Zayed Centre for Desert Sciences project, which is considered an eminent edifice to immortalise the visions of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and a recognition of his important role in the field of preserving the UAE’s environment and natural wealth. The centre was built in accordance with environmental sustainability standards.

Al Ain Zoo was established in 1968 under the guidance of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It has since then constituted an entertaining, educational and environmental open air family destination.

Visitors from all ages enjoy the discovery of wild life in Al Ain zoo within a joyful and adventurous ambience, full of educational experiences about safeguarding the environment. The visitors are also introduced to more than 3,500 animals.