UPC approves Al Reem Island Mall
A major mall development on Al Reem Island was among 27 projects and master plans given the green light by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) in Q4 2015.
UPC approved a total of 101 projects in 2015 with a gross floor area (GFA) of 13.58 million m2 – 26% more than in 2014.
For the quarter, two approvals were given for projects and master plans located in Al Ain, four in Al Gharbia and 21 in the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area – with 11 projects on Abu Dhabi Island and ten on Abu Dhabi Mainland.
Three projects given the go ahead in Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area are located on Al Reem Island, including Reem Mall. The development will span 185,000 m2 and feature 450 retail units and a range of entertainment features across three storeys, including the world’s largest indoor snow-play park.
The largest master plan approved by the UPC in Q4 is the Al Khrair Emirati Housing project, located in the Al Khrair area in the eastern side of Al Ain City. With a GFA of 3.3 million m2, this residential project represents one third of the GFA approved in the quarter.
UPC is responsible for approving large-scale projects and master plans as well as managing the Emirate’s mandatory Estidama PRS for sustainable design, construction and operation.
In parallel, the UPC announced that by the end of the fourth quarter, 203 projects have been awarded an Estidama Pearl Design Rating throughout the Emirate.
The figures show that a 1 Pearl Design Rating has been awarded to 90 villas and 38 buildings, while a 2 Pearl Design Rating has been awarded to 40 villas and 34 buildings.
A 3 Pearl Design Rating has been awarded to one building. Since the Estidama Pearl Rating System was launched five years ago, the Estidama team has reviewed many projects – a total of 12,266 villas and 1,097 buildings have been awarded a Pearl Design Rating – this translates into a total GFA of 18.3 million m2.
Meanwhile, 505 people attended the eight Estidama training sessions held over the Q4 period, 75% of whom represented the private sector. In total, 1,724 people received training throughout 2015.
