Abu Dhabi Introduces New Livability Standards for Major Real Estate Developments

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has launched the Livability by Design Framework, introducing strengthened planning standards for major urban developments across the emirate.

Overseen by the Urban Planning and Permits Centre, the framework applies to new and updated master plans designed to accommodate more than 2,000 people, including mixed-use communities and tourism destinations.

Putting Quality of Life at the Centre of Development

The framework expands the assessment of major developments beyond conventional planning requirements by placing greater emphasis on how communities function for the people who live, work and spend time within them.

Developers are expected to incorporate elements including walkable neighbourhoods, connected mobility, accessible public spaces, universal accessibility and a high-quality public realm into master plans from the outset.

The objective is to create communities that are healthier, better connected and more inclusive while supporting Abu Dhabi’s long-term urban development strategy.

What It Means for Developers

For developers planning large-scale communities, the framework establishes clearer expectations at the master-planning stage.

DMT says an updated assessment checklist, supporting guidance, submission templates and communication materials have been prepared to support implementation. Importantly, the existing master-plan submission and approval process remains unchanged, allowing the new requirements to be incorporated into the current planning system.

This means developers will need to demonstrate not only how buildings, infrastructure and land uses are arranged, but also how their developments contribute to accessibility, connectivity and the overall experience of residents and visitors.

Greater Focus on Walkable and Connected Communities

The framework reflects a broader shift toward planning communities around everyday quality of life.

Walkability, mobility connections, accessible public areas and well-designed shared spaces are increasingly being considered alongside traditional factors such as residential density, infrastructure and land use.

For future master communities in Abu Dhabi, these principles are expected to play a more prominent role in the way projects are planned and assessed.

Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Long-Term Urban Vision

The Livability by Design Framework forms part of Abu Dhabi’s broader Livability Strategy, which focuses on improving quality of life through integrated urban planning, sustainable mobility, accessible public spaces and people-focused neighbourhoods.

As Abu Dhabi continues to expand its residential, mixed-use and tourism developments, the framework establishes a clearer regulatory direction: major communities should be assessed not only by what they deliver physically, but also by the quality of the environment they create for the people who use them.