Abu Dhabi 2030

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is going through vast enhancements on both city level and infrastructure level. This is all part of "Abu Dhabi 2030". Abu Dhabi 2030 is the Urban Structure Framework Plan developed meticulously by the Urban Planning Council. Basically its a plan that takes into consideration current plans and infrastructure and more importantly future plans and infrastructure. Meaning if a piece of land is designated as national highway it will contain the necessary amount of lanes to accommodate today's traffic and more imperatively the future's increased traffic. So that a highway is built once and not expanded several times throughout it's life as in other cities. Build it today with tomorrow in mind. I applaud such tactic.
There are Emirates that cannot physically expand a major street because there is a line of villas that run parallel to it. The only way would be to relocate one line of villas to expand on one side, relocate another line of villas on the other side to make it a 3 lane going and 3 lane coming street- which is vital to maintain harmonious traffic flow. Its difficult to relocate villas because usually they(villas) are inhabited by mortals. I applaud the initiative from the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Some of the projects are major such as the Corniche AlGurm/AlSalam St underground expressway under construction. Other projects are cosmetic. Cosmetic in the sense that they serve a purpose of enhancing the city's image and at the same time generating a sense of heightened awareness of our surroundings. Attached is an image of a simple painted crossing that was black and white before. Now its colored and slightly raised. It looks nicer and sends a message to both the pedestrian and the vehicle driver. On the right detour the pedestrian crossing is raised, raised enough to allow for a more confident crossing and mandatory vehicle decrease in speed.

I am excited for what the future holds. I anticipate very favorable projects; that may make life in the short a little inconvenient due to the congestion and traffic that construction/modifications cause; but will definitely be worthwhile in the long run.
When we do something in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, we do it right!