Reem Island residents welcome planned improvements

Plans unveiled for new homes, schools, hospitals, mosques and parks in an island community of 210,000 people.

An artist’s impression of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s master plan for Reem Island. Courtesy Urban Planning Council
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ABU DHABI // Ambitious plans were unveiled on Monday to turn Reem Island in Abu Dhabi into a community of 210,000 people.

The new master plan includes three hospitals, 11 private schools for 22,000 pupils, six nurseries and kindergartens and nine mosques.

About 20 per cent of homes will be affordable housing.

“We’re very excited about what this means for the future of Abu Dhabi,” said Mohamed Al Khadar, executive director for development at the Urban Planning Council.

“Not only will the growth of Reem Island, one of the key areas of expansion for Abu Dhabi, be carefully managed, we are also ensuring all future developments meet our Complete Sustainable Communities directives.”

The plan includes health clinics, a transport hub, Civil Defence bases and police offices, 50 hectares of parkland and 71 hectares of pathways and promenades.

Reem Island residents have welcomed the plan. Jacqueline Hulme, a South African, said there was only one school near Al Maya Tower and plans for more were great news.

“Currently, children have to travel to Abu Dhabi Island from Reem,” Ms Hulme said.

Ms Hulme said the new hospitals would be welcome. “I have to go to Abu Dhabi for treatment.

“What I would most love to have here is the parks and gardens and grocery shops. At the moment if I want to buy a bottle of water I have to go to the shopping mall.

“I’d love to have small cafes and sit-out coffee shops nears residential areas so we don’t need to rush to the mall all time.”

The Urban Planning Council of Abu Dhabi revealed the plans on Monday. They are part of the master plan submitted by Bunya, which is responsible for the island’s infrastructure and is owned by master developers Tamouh, Aldar Properties and Reem Investments.

They also includes 1.4 million square metres of office space and 850,000 square metres of retail.

The island will eventually be home to about 210,000 people, up from the almost 20,000 who live there now.

Resident Khaled Mohammed, an Emirati, was delighted with the news.

“We are also looking for good schools on the island,” Mr Mohammed said. “Currently, my children go to Al Nahda National School in Mushrif.

“Life on the island is great, but more facilities must be added. We don’t have parks and children’s playgrounds. All the time, we have to rush to Abu Dhabi Island facilities. Since the families are moving to this place, facilities must be added accordingly.”

Joe Ong, managing director of Tamouh, said UPC guidelines clearly defined what was classed as affordable housing, which was an integral part of the master plans.

“Teachers don’t earn big salaries but to get good teachers in you need to give them affordable homes,” Mr Ong said. “You have hospitals and you can’t get good services in the hospital without good nurses. Nurses don’t earn as much as doctors.”

Prof Saif Al Qaydi, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at UAE University, said as the population had expanded, so had provisions for residents.

“Abu Dhabi has transformed into a metropolitan city with a rising population each year, rapidly adding facilities for residents,” Prof Al Qaydi said.

anwar@thenational.ae

* Additional reporting by Michael Fahy