Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council Magazine Issue 6 April 2012

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The UPC has recently launched new Commercial Signage Regulations for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. VISION Magazine takes a look at how these Regulations will support the evolution of Abu Dhabi’s public realm. Walk through any of Abu Dhabi’s cities and towns and you’d be hard pressed to find a building without a few signs on it. Whether brightly lit in neon colours, or tastefully illuminated in muted tones, signs are everywhere. We often use these signs to guide people to our favourite stores, our homes, or places to meet up. Signs often form an integral part of a city’s identity and high-quality signage can make a significant difference to the public realm experience. In light of this, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development (DED), has unveiled the Commercial Signage Regulations & Storefront Policy to improve signage and building facades, and to limit the use of public space for equipment and storage. The Regulations intend to improve the appearance of buildings to enhance the public realm experience for residents and visitors by defining the type, size and position of commercial signs on all buildings across Abu Dhabi Emirate. Hamad Al Mutawa, Senior Associate Planner at the UPC, has been responsible for working with DED on the Regulations. He explained: “The Regulations outline the permitted commercial signage types, specifications, dimensions and positioning on a building. We’ve included a comprehensive series of diagrams to help business owners to clearly understand what they can and cannot do. This will ensure a level of consistency whilst still allowing for creativity and individuality. Overall, the general appearance of stores will improve, in line with the standards of other cities around the world.” Based on its location within a building, the Regulations highlight the specific zone that a business’ sign can be placed within. The Regulations also provide signage design guidelines to ensure that no sign, or portion of a sign, covers an integral architectural element of a building, such as a window, to ensure a clear view in to, and out of, business premises. The Regulations also prohibit the advertising of third party products and outline restrictions for the placement of air conditioning units and gas cylinders to improve safety and enhance public access. Mutawa explained: “Putting appropriate regulations in place now will ensure we create a vibrant, attractive and visually appealing Emirate. Furthermore, we will enhance public safety by improving natural surveillance and ensuring areas surrounding businesses and shops are not cluttered with unsightly items or air conditioning units.” The Regulations are in line with, and complement, the guiding principles of Urban Planning Vision 2030, which call for more liveable, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing public spaces across Abu Dhabi Emirate, and the principles of the UPC’s Estidama programme of sustainability. Over the coming months and years, Abu Dhabi’s public realm will be steadily transformed by a range of distinctive, yet complementary signage on our buildings, businesses and landmarks across the Emirate. 7 VISION MAGAZINE ISSUE SIX
What up-and-coming projects is the team currently working on? The Team is currently focused on the revitalisation of Abu Dhabi Island and specifically the refinement of catalyst and pilot projects that will demonstrate the 2030 Vision. These projects include streetscape projects that utilise all UPC policies. Positive Signs for Abu Dhabi Is there anything in particular that any of the team really enjoys working on and what has been learnt while working as a team? The Team particularly enjoys projects that have immediate / near-term results such as Electra Park Revitalisation or the Corniche Beach projects. Projects that are very complex and require implementation over 20 years also provide the team with satisfaction and creates great camaraderie. The team has learned many lessons from Abu Dhabi Island-specific projects. The existing conditions and urban fabric have required the team to learn and develop Abu Dhabi-specific concepts, which will be passed onto future team members. What kind of skills and qualifications are required to join the Island Team? A wide range of skills and qualifications are required to keep the team working and the projects moving forward. Problem-solving, creative thinking, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban design, architecture, writing ability and knowledge of what makes a great city, as well as the ability to act quickly, are the basic skills required to be a successful member of the Team. 6 VISION MAGAZINE ISSUE SIX
Page 1 and 2: April 2012 Abu Dhabi Urban Planning
Page 3 and 4: Come and Connect with us at Citysca
Page 5: Meet the UPC Team In each edition o
Page 9 and 10: all EYES on Abu Dhabi In December 2
Page 11 and 12: Complete Sustainable Communities at
Page 13 and 14: The UPC’s tools for planning Comp
Page 15 and 16: NEWS Abu Dhabi delegation Visits Si
Page 17: “ADNEC has played a key role in e
Page 20 and 21: geoportal.abudhabi.ae AD-SDI GeoPor
Page 22 and 23: Who is Sorouh? Established in June
Page 24 and 25: Reaching out to Estidama’s Stakeh
Page 26 and 27: (PRS), namely: Integrated Design Pr
Page 28 and 29: 2030 must be formulated to enhance
Page 30 and 31: absorbed and incorporated into the
Page 32 and 33: 04 The Labor Market Demand Trends I
Page 35: VISION Leading and Promoting Houbar

Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council Magazine Issue 6 April 2012

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