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Tag: DMT Abu Dhabi

  • Aldar and DMT Partner to Develop 20 Million Sqm in Abu Dhabi

    Aldar and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) have formalized a major public-private partnership to deliver integrated communities spanning more than 20 million square meters across five strategic locations in Abu Dhabi, marking one of the emirate’s most ambitious urban development initiatives.

    The agreement was signed on May 12, 2026, during the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) 2026, with His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, and His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar, in attendance.

    His Excellency Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, Director General of the Urban Planning and Permits Centre at DMT, and Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar, executed the partnership documents.

    Strategic Locations and Community Design

    The new communities will be developed at Muwaylih, Mussafah, Al Zahiya, and Al Faya, combining residential, retail, educational, and lifestyle offerings within walkable neighborhoods featuring green public spaces and connectivity to Abu Dhabi’s transport networks.

    The collaboration directly supports the emirate’s urban development and housing priorities, including the expansion of the Value Housing Program, a DMT-led initiative increasing access to high-quality, affordable rental housing in Abu Dhabi.

    “This strategic partnership marks an important step in shaping Abu Dhabi’s next phase of urban growth. As the emirate continues to attract residents, businesses and investment, there is a growing need for thoughtfully planned destinations that expand housing choice across multiple market segments while enhancing quality of life,” said Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar.

    Al Dhiyebi emphasized that the scale and breadth of these projects reflect Aldar’s strong conviction in the long-term fundamentals of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market and continued confidence in the emirate’s economic growth trajectory.

    Value Housing Program Expansion

    The partnership marks a significant expansion of the Value Housing Program, building on a recently announced commitment to develop two integrated communities in Mohamed Bin Zayed City and Baniyas that will deliver 9,000 residential units to Abu Dhabi’s rental market.

    These communities are designed to offer walkable neighborhoods, green public spaces, schools, retail and gathering places, connected to the wider city and built around the lifestyle needs of residents. Strategically located along major road networks, each destination will offer seamless connectivity across Abu Dhabi while fostering a strong sense of place and belonging.

    “This partnership with Aldar represents a new model for Abu Dhabi’s urban development, one that brings together strategic master planning, private-sector execution capability and government oversight to deliver transformational growth,” said His Excellency Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, Director General of the Urban Planning and Permits Centre at DMT.

    Al Mihsinah Island Activation

    In a landmark announcement, Aldar and DMT revealed plans to activate Al Mihsinah Island for the first time, creating a waterfront community that combines natural coastal surroundings with thoughtfully planned residential neighborhoods and lifestyle amenities.

    The development will offer a living experience that blends wellness, tranquility and connectivity within a waterfront setting, representing a new benchmark for coastal community development in the capital.

    New Model for Urban Development

    The agreement represents a new model for urban development in the emirate, aligning housing accessibility, community building and long-term economic growth within a single, coordinated framework. DMT contributes land while Aldar serves as master developer, combining public-sector land stewardship with private-sector development expertise.

    The partnership is a direct expression of Abu Dhabi’s urban development strategy, placing integrated community planning, housing accessibility and long-term liveability at its core. Aldar will draw on its extensive expertise in delivering iconic destinations such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and Al Raha Beach.

    The announcement comes as Abu Dhabi’s residential market continues to demonstrate strong momentum, with transaction volumes remaining elevated and investor confidence sustained by the emirate’s robust economic fundamentals and strategic infrastructure investments.

  • Abu Dhabi Approves 75 Million Sqm of Development in 2025

    Abu Dhabi Approves 75 Million Sqm of Development in 2025

    The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announced on March 12, 2026, that it approved nearly 75 million square meters of gross floor area for development across Abu Dhabi in 2025, representing a 137% year-on-year increase that signals the emirate’s rapid urban expansion.

    The scale of this expansion is equivalent to the entire developed capacity of Yas Island being built out seven times over, according to DMT officials.

    “This milestone reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing momentum as a world destination for investment and development. Through forward-looking approaches and streamlined regulatory processes, we are enabling diverse mixed-use districts that strengthen economic diversification, attract international talent and enhance quality of life across the emirate,” said His Excellency Eng Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, Director General of the Urban Planning & Permits Centre at DMT.

    Nearly 190,000 Residential Units Approved

    Housing initiatives represented the largest share of development approvals, with nearly 190,000 residential units planned across new and existing neighborhoods. These include more than 158,000 market units and approximately 30,000 homes dedicated to UAE Nationals, supported by an extensive network of community amenities, including schools, healthcare facilities, community majlis and retail destinations.

    Industry and technology sectors also emerged as major drivers of activity, with new approved projects spanning industrial zones, data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities expected to support the emirate’s digital economy, logistics sector and technology-driven industries.

    In the hospitality and tourism sector, projects delivering nearly 5,000 new hotel keys were added across multiple destinations, alongside new waterfront attractions, beaches and cultural experiences that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s tourism appeal.

    Approval Cycle Reduced by 60 Days

    To facilitate this unprecedented scale of development, DMT reduced the approval cycle for master developers by 60 days, accelerating the delivery of major projects across the emirate while maintaining rigorous compliance standards.

    “The reduction in evaluation timelines demonstrates our commitment to enabling rapid and high-quality construction across Abu Dhabi. By balancing efficiency with strong regulatory oversight, we are ensuring that the emirate’s urban landscape evolves to meet market demand while maintaining the highest standards,” said Mansour Saleh Al Harbi, Acting Executive Director for Activation and Development Control Sector at DMT.

    The surge in planning approvals has been supported by the launch of BINAA, the region’s first AI-driven permits platform. Since its introduction in June 2025, the platform has shortened the average time required to issue a residential villa building permit by 57% and decreased resubmissions by 53% by automating complex technical reviews.

    In total, over 11,000 building permits were issued in 2025, representing a 15% increase compared with the previous year. DMT also conducted upskilling workshops for more than 7,000 consultants and contractors to support their adaptation to evolving regulatory and market requirements.

    The development surge comes as Abu Dhabi leads UAE real estate growth and as expatriate residents drive 62% of home sales in the emirate. DMT will continue to expand BINAA’s capabilities while promoting the adoption of digital and AI-enabled submissions to further streamline processes and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s global competitiveness.