The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

95

2

Sprint Towards Modernity Before the emergence of the oil-based economy in the early 1960s, traditional local culture had two main components: the nomadic desert-oriented Bedouin with small oasis farms and those involved in the sea-oriented lifestyle that revolved around pearling, fishing and maritime trade. These subcultures were economically, politically and socially interdependent, weaving into a common culture and social fabric. PRINT T OWARDS M ODERNITY Before the emergence of the oil-based economy in the early 1960s, traditional local culture had two main components: the nomadic desert-oriented Bedouin with small oasis farms and those involved in the sea-oriented lifestyle that revolved around pearling, fishing and maritime trade. These subcultures were economically, politically and socially interdependent, weaving into a common culture and social fabric. that has attracted plaudits internationally, placing the country firmly on the global map. Where palm-frond huts once sat on the sand, skyscrapers now dominate Abu Dhabi’s skyline. Few other places in the world have experienced a comparable amount and rate of urbanisation – certainly few have done it so successfully. Abu Dhabi’s rapid development, a product of inspired leadership, has managed to avoid the many pitfalls common to rapid urbanisation, such as shanty towns, smog, power shortages or gridlock. Its sprint towards modernity is a truly remarkable achievement. When Sheikh Zayed became ruler in 1966, he inherited an impoverished Emirate in the desert virtually without any schools, hospitals or infrastructure. Within three decades, his government led the transformation of Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the UAE, into a modern state with infrastructure that has When Sheikh Zayed became ruler in 1966, he inherited an impoverished Emirate in the desert virtually without any schools, hospitals or infrastructure. Within three decades, his government led the transformation of Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the UAE, into a modern state with infrastructure attracted plaudits internationally, placing the country firmly on the global map. Where palm-frond huts once sat on the sand, skyscrapers now dominate Abu Dhabi’s skyline. Few other places in the world have experienced a comparable amount and rate of urbanisation – certainly few have done it so successfully. Abu Dhabi’s rapid development, a product of inspired leadership, has managed to avoid the many pitfalls common to rapid urbanisation, such as shantytowns, smog, power shortages or gridlock. Its sprint towards modernity is a truly remarkable achievement.

To a Prosperous Future u

Master plans for different areas of the Emirate lay the groundwork for even more astonishing developments into 2030 and beyond. The Western Region (Al Gharbia), for example, has until now had relatively few residents, many being workers in the oil and gas industries. New plans could lead to a major expansion of the population, with an extensive transportation system and state of the art infrastructure. Mirfa could become an important hub with more than a hundred thousand inhabitants. Ruwais, Sila, Ghiyathi and Madinat Zayed all also have plans for substantial growth. In addition, the emirate’s government has a particularly focused expansion agenda for Liwa Oasis, the traditional home of the founders of Abu Dhabi. Similar plans are being drawn up for Al-Ain, which is known as the “Oasis City.” These plans aim to conserve its unique natural setting as a city between the mountains and the desert and to celebrate both its cultural heritage and its history of sustainable development. Unique aspects of the Emirate’s environment have been described in this Atlas including the biodiversity, physical landscape, climate, natural resources and culture. This chapter focuses on pathways of development for Abu Dhabi – past, present and future – including major achievements, lessons learnt, forthcoming challenges and the search for solutions. To a Prosperous Future X Master plans for different ar as of the Emirate lay the groundwork for even more astonishing developm nts into 2030 and beyond. The West rn Region (Al Gharbia), for exampl , has until now had relatively few residents, many being worker i the oil and gas industries. New plans could lead to a major exp nsi n of the population, with an extensive transportati n system and stat of the art i f astruct re. M rfa could become an important hub with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Ruwais, Sila’a, Ghayathi and Madinat Zayed all also have plans for substanti l growth. In additio , the Emirate’s government ha a particularly focus d expansion agenda for Liwa Oasis, the traditional home of the founders of Abu Dhabi. Similar plans are being drawn up for Al Ain, which is know as the ‘Oasis City.’ These plans aim to conserve its unique natural setting as a city between the mountains and the desert and to celebrate both its cultural heritage and its history of sustainable development. Unique aspects of the Emirate’s environment have been described in this Atlas including the biodiversity, physical landscape, climate, natural resources and culture. This chapter focuses on pathways of development for Abu Dhabi – past, present and future – including major achievements, lessons learnt, forthcoming challenges and the search for solutions.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi City

Masdar

SirBaniYas

Musaffah

Marawah

BaniYas

Jebel Dhanna

Al Ain

Mirfa

Ruwais

Sila'a

Tarif

Capital Region

Western Region

Ghayathi

Habshan

Madinat Zayed

BuHasa

Eastern Region

Liwa Oasis

Artist concept of elevated-rail system in Abu Dhabi. Artist’s Impression of FutureTransportation in Abu Dhabi

Lightening Speed From a historical perspective, this Emirate's dynamic process of urbanisation has occurred with lightning speed. Abu Dhabi has modernised over mere decades, an evolution that for other major cities worldwide required centuries if not millennia. Lightning Speed From a historical perspective, this Emirate’s dynamic process of urbanisation has occurred with lightning speed. Abu Dhabi has modernised over mere decades, an evolution that for other major cities worldwide required centuries if not millennia.

1930 First oil company teams arrive to carry out preliminary surveys. 1930 First oil company teams arrive to arry out prel minary surveys

1950 The UAE's first oil well was drilled on the coast at Ras Sadr, north-east of Abu Dhabi. 1952 Seven Emirates form Trucial Council. 1950 The UAE’s first oil well was drilled on he coast at Ras Sadr, nort -east of Abu Dhabi 1952 Seven Emirates form Trucial Council

Al Husn Fort The White Fort of Abu Dhabi dates back to the nineteenth century (the oldest section to 1793) when it was built by the Al Nahyan family on the site of the only freshwater well on the island. The fort has has been restored many times since then. Al Husn Fort The White Fort of Abu Dhabi dates back to the 19 th century (the oldest section to 1793) when it was built by the Al Nahyan family on the site of the only fresh water well on the island. The fort has been restored many times since th n

1953 Firt school established (450 boys). 1953 First school established (450 boys)

1960 Oil struck onshore at Murban 3 Field. First hospital established (Oasis Hospital in Al Ain). 1961 First paved road in Abu Dhabi. 1962 First export of oil from Abu Dhabi. 1960 Oil struck onshore at Murban 3 Field. First hospital established (Oasis Hospital in al Ain) 1961 First paved road in Abu Dhabi 1962 First export of oil from Abu Dhabi

1966 Sheikh Zayed succeeds his elder brother as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity 1966 Sheikh Zayed succeeds his elder brother as Ruler of Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Department established Department established.

1958 Oil struck offshore at Umm Shaif Field. 1958 Oil struck offshore at Umm Shaif Field

From a Subsistence Past q The emirate is primarily a vast desert with well over 100 islands in the coastal waters, including the island where the city of Abu Dhabi is located. Traditionally, the population along the coast relied on fishing and pearling for their livelihood, whilst those in the hinterland subsisted on date plantations and camel herding. Before the mid-1960s, Abu Dhabi town was a group of clusters of modest dwellings lacking basic services such as electricity and potable water. Sandy tracks linked groups of houses built of ’arish (palm fronds), scattered along a coastline where the capricious interface of desert and sea offered only a marginal existence for the few thousand resilient inhabitants. Nothing was easy. Water was collected from hand-dug wells. Food was cooked over wood fires. There were no formal schools, clinics or hospitals. Basic modern services were distant dreams for these early Abu Dhabi residents. From a Subsistence Past The Emirate is primarily a vast desert with well over 100 islands in the coastal w t r , including the island here the city of Abu Dhabi is loc ted. Tr ditionally, the populatio along the coast relied on fishing and p arling for their liveliho d, whilst th se in the hin erlan subsisted o ate plantations and camel herd ng. Before the mid-1960s, Abu Dhabi town was a group of clusters of modest dwellings lacking basic services such as electricity and potable water. Sandy tracks linked groups of houses built of ’arish (palm fronds), scattered along a coastline where the capricious interface of desert and sea offered only a marginal existence for the few thousand resilient inhabitants. Nothing was easy. Water was collected from hand-dug wells. Food was cooked over wood fires.There were no formal schools, clinics or hospitals. Basic modern services were distant dreams for these early Abu Dhabi residents. Male citizens wore the traditional dress of a white robe ( kandoura ) and white headcloth ( ghutrah ) with a black rope ( aqal ). Conversely, Emirati women wore loose, colourful clothing often with a piece of cloth held or draped over their head. Many often wore a traditional face mask ( burqa ). Most Emiratis still wear the same clothes today. Male citizenswore the traditional dress of a white robe (kandoura) and white headcloth (ghutrah) with a black rope (aqal). Conversely, Emirati women wore long dresses with a head cover (hijab) and black cloak (abayah). Most Emiratis still wear the same clothes today. Abu Dhabi Coast 1954

1968 First airport in Abu Dhabi - Al Bateen Airport. 1968 First airport in Abu Dhabi–Al Bateen Airport 1970

The late Sheikh Zayed

The late Sheikh Zayed

1971 United Arab Emirates independence.

United Arab Emirates established

1975 First satellite ground station established. 1974 Telephone network established. 1974 Telephone network establis ed 1975 First satellite ground station established

1980 Electricity grid established. Advanced tele- communications network established. First solar desalination plant in Abu Dhabi. 1981 Gulf Cooperation Council established. 1988 Higher Colleges of Technology established. 1981 Gulf Cooperation Council established 1988 Higher Colleges of Technology established 1980 Electricity grid established Advanced telecommunications network established First solar desalination plant in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's modern day city scape. Abu Dhabi’s Modern Day Cityscape

To an Urban Present q However impossible past dreams of modernity may have seemed, many have now become a reality. Twenty-first century Abu Dhabi continues to grow and evolve, defining pathways towards the future with a metropolis of regional andglobal influence. Thetransformationhasbeenextraordinary, from local subsistence to global influence within little more than a single generation. For the visitor to Abu Dhabi, a drive along the Eastern Corniche or “Al Qurm” offers a memorable experience. This palm-fringed boulevard meanders along a coast of villas, mangroves and lagoons into the heart of the modern city. By day or night, the surrounding cityscape is awe- inspiring. Residential buildings and office towers interspersed with ever- rising skyscrapers compete in grandeur and innovative design. Much of the land on which they stand has been laboriously reclaimed from the sea. This process continues as new islands are sculpted and reconfigure the coastal and urban geography. Once endowed with road networks, stylish buildings and modern infrastructure, they will become the latest additions to a rapidly evolving urban-human landscape. The rapid growth of Abu Dhabi is continually re-defining the dynamic process of urbanisation. From a historical perspective, this process has occurred with lightning speed. Abu Dhabi has modernised over mere decades, an evolution that for other major cities worldwide required centuries if not millennia of fluctuating fortunes with triumphs and tragedies. The Emirate has leapfrogged traditional agricultural and industrial revolutions into a modern, progressive society and the change continues apace. To an Urban Present S However impossible past dreams of modernity may have seemed, many have now become a reality. 21 st century Abu Dhabi continues to grow and evolve, defining pathways towards the future with a metropolis of regional and global influence. The transformation has been extraordinary, from local subsistence to global influence within little more than a single generation. For the visitor toAbu Dhabi, a drive along the Eastern Corniche or ‘Al Qurm’ offers a memorable experience. This palm-fringed boulevard meanders along a coast of villas, mangroves and lagoons into the heart of the modern city. By day or night, the surrounding cityscape is awe-inspiring. Residential buildings and office towers interspersed with ever-rising skyscrapers compete in grandeur and innovative design. Much of the land on which they stand has been laboriously reclaimed from the sea. This process continues as new islands are sculpted and reconfigure the coastal and urban geography. Once endowed with road networks, stylish buildings and modern infrastructure, they will become the latest additions to a rapidly evolving urban–human landscape. The rapid growth of Abu Dhabi is continually redefining the dynamic process of urbanisation. From a historical perspective, this process has occurred with lightning speed. Abu Dhabi has modernised over mere decades, an evolution that for other major cities worldwide required centuries if not millennia of fluctuating fortunes with triumphs and tragedies. The Emirate has leapfrogged traditional agricultural and industrial revolutions into a modern, progressive society and the change continues apace.

1976 First university established (UAE University). 1976 First university established (UAE University) Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is formed Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is formed.

1993 Federal Environmental Agency established

1995 Access to internet becomes available. 1993 Federal Environmental Agency established.

1996 Access to Internet becomes available

2007 Urban Planning Council established

2007 Urban Planning Council established. Abu Dhabi Master Plan 2030 released 2009 Umm Al Zamoul solar desalination water plant becomes operational. 2009 First solar plant at Masdar connected to power grid.

Abu Dhabi Master Plan 2030 released

2009 Umm al Zamoul solar desalination water plant becomes operational

Pathways › Sprint Towards Modernity

Pathways › Sprint Towards Modernity

2009 First solar plant at Masdar connected to power grid

Abu Dhabi coast circ. 1954.