The role of TMM for new developments and redevelopments

6.2.1 Policy framework

Emirate wide and municipality level policy is explicit in its support for the development of a sustainable transport system that provides appropriate travel alternatives to the private car across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In addition, the theme of Transit Oriented Development links together land-use and planning policies to facilitate the location of new developments in areas that are already accessible by sustainable modes. Mixed-use developments which provide on-site amenities and services are encouraged, as these can reduce the overall need to travel. These elements offer a robust framework within which to develop the requirement for development-based TMM plans, as these are an important tool for both the land-use and transport planning systems, within which sustainable transport objectives can be delivered.

A TIS is already a key part of all development planning applications in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the requirement for the submission of a TMM plan for each qualifying development essentially forms an addition to the current TIS process. Depending on the number of trips that are forecast to be generated by the development in the highest peak hour, location of the development and type of land- use, one of three different levels of TMM plan will be required; a TMM statement, a full TMM plan or a framework TMM plan. The developer and/or its consultants must prepare both the relevant type of TIS and the appropriate TMM plan in an iterative process and then submit both documents to DoT for review and approval. The preparation of a TMM plan will complement the TIS in that it will set out targets for minimising the traffic impacts of that site over a defined period of time and it will also introduce specific measures and initiatives that will facilitate travel by sustainable modes.

6 TMM for new developments

The Pearl Rating System (PRS) for Estidama is the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development programme for the built environment. The PRS provides guidelines and detailed key performance indicators, known as credits, for rating a project’s potential performance in relation to the four pillars of Estidama: environmental, economic, cultural and social, as well as a number of PRS categories. Within each category, there are both required and optional credits and points are awarded for each optional credit achieved. In order to achieve one pearl rating, all required credits must be met. Higher pearl rating levels require compliance with all required credits along with a minimum number of optional credits.

The elements within Estidama that bear relation to TMM plans are as follows: • LC-1 Transit Supportive Practices;

• LC-8 Travel Plan;

• LB0-6 Public Transport; and • LB0-9 Travel Plan.

Currently, the preparation of a TMM plan for a new development gains the developer an additional credit point. Following implementation of the requirement for TMM plans to be submitted alongside the TIS for new developments, it is proposed that this will become a required item under Estidama.

6.2.2 Abu Dhabi context

6.2.2.1 Population growth

Population growth is predicted for all three municipalities. The STMP for each municipality (Al Gharbia STMP forthcoming) identifies how to cater for this growth.

Abu Dhabi metropolitan area

The majority of the population of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is concentrated in the Abu Dhabi metropolitan area, which is in parts highly developed. The Abu Dhabi metropolitan area can broadly be divided into three regions: the island, the mainland and the north coast. The population is heavily concentrated on the island, especially on the ‘north side’ (along the Corniche) and along a corridor running down the island’s central core from the Corniche towards the mainland. Congestion and other adverse impacts are hence most concentrated in this area and it is in this area that the highest number of trips are generated, which can be targeted for a shift towards more sustainable modes.

Transportation Mobility Management Strategy

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Figure 6.2: Population distribution in the Abu Dhabi metropolitan area (2005)

In the future, approximately equal population numbers are predicted to live on Abu Dhabi Island and the mainland areas. As Abu Dhabi Island is much smaller in surface area than the mainland, population density on the island will inevitably be higher. The overall areas of residential focus will be similar in 2030 compared to the present, with a number of additional developments coming forward, such as Saadiyat Island.

Al Ain

In Al Ain, the Central District is the only part with a high population density. Al Ain’s population is projected to more than double by 2030 and, in addition to the Central District, it is expected that the majority of Al Ain’s population will live in areas such as Al Maqam, Asharej and Al Muwaiji. A second north-south axis of higher densities comprises of Hili, Al Jimi, Al Mutaredh and Sanaiya. The planned Gateway-Corridor focuses growth and density along an east-west axis running towards the Central District, as well as on a number of pockets on the city’s edge.

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Al Gharbia

Al Gharbia is characterised by a large geographic spread and low population density and the current total population of the region is just over 120,000. There are seven major population centres in Al Gharbia; Madinat Zayed, Mirfa, Ghayathi, Liwa, Ruwais, Sila’a, and Delma Island. Population density is spread across these seven areas, with the highest concentrations in Madinat Zayed and Ruwais. Figures on population growth are not available at present for this region.

Due to the amount of development currently taking place in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the existing varied population distribution, the requirement for the submission of a TMM plan for new developments has been based on a threshold, rather than the geographical area in which the development is located. The relatively uniform distribution of population in Al Ain also illustrates the fact that TMM plans need less of a geographical and more of a conceptual focus.

6.2.2.2 Population characteristics

Abu Dhabi has a highly varied population, which must be taken into account when preparing TMM plans, both as part of the