The master plan for a new residential community with 306 new plots for UAE nationals in Al Ain has been completed, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, UPC, announced yesterday.

The Al Saad development is located between two existing residential neighbourhoods in Ramlat Al Saad, forming one complete sustainable community and offering a wide range of amenities, including parks, schools, shops, mosques, a clinic and a community centre. The new development will increase the existing population of 2,200 residents by approximately 3,130 following completion.

With the provision of UAE National Housing in Al Ain remaining a top priority, many of Abu Dhabi's government agencies are collaborating on housing developments across the region and the wider emirate. The Al Saad Master Plan has been developed by the UPC in consultation with the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, ADHA, and Al Ain City Municipality. The project is in line with the key principles of Plan Al Ain 2030, the strategic framework plan that outlines the physical development of the approximately 13,100 sq.km. region.

The community has been tailored to the needs of the residents of Al Saad. Through extensive research and consultation with stakeholders, the master plan has been devised to ensure the development of a complete community that is safe, walkable, attractive and sustainable. Community facilities will include two schools, three retail outlets, a clinic, a number of mosques, a community centre and 14 parks interspersed throughout the community.

"The Al Saad Master Plan is a significant project for Al Ain, the UPC and its partners," said Abdulla Al Sahi, Executive Director, Corporate Services Sector and Acting Executive Director, Planning and Infrastructure Sector, UPC. "The provision of high-quality housing for UAE nationals is a priority for the leadership. Creating communities strengthens our social ties and helps to preserve our culture and traditions. As a result, housing is a core component of Vision 2030 and, therefore, is central to the plans we create at the UPC.

"The UPC is focused not just on the urban planning of Abu Dhabi's Capital Region, but of the Western and Eastern regions as well, so that all UAE nationals across the emirate have access to high quality, habitable and sustainable communities. This approach is in line with the UPC's Complete Sustainable Communities Initiative, which aims to develop high-quality communities for all. The Al Saad Master Plan is another step closer for the Abu Dhabi Government towards achieving that goal," he added.

Ali Khalifa Al Qemzi, Executive Director of Planning and Projects, ADHA, said, "The Al Saad project which will be planned, designed and built in accordance with the Abu Dhabi National Housing Guidelines for Integrated Communities issued by the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority that aims to create sustainable and complete housing communities. These communities will be characterised by the highest levels of quality and efficiency standards thereby satisfying the safety and comfort of current and future generations of UAE nationals.