Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Sage

Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual outlines the context, objectives, and end-to-end process for planning, designing, reviewing, and refining urban street systems in Abu Dhabi. It defines goals and design principles, covering urban street networks and connections between street design and public health. The manual then details complete-streets design, including typology, priorities, street composition, special street types, utilities, pedestrian, transit, cycling, and motor-vehicle considerations, and traffic calming.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages239

Reading Time10 h 2 min

AccessFree to download

Part I: Context & Process

Chapter 1-Introduction

Chapter 2-Goals and Design Principles

Chapter 3-Design and Review Process

Part II: Design of Complete Streets

Chapter 4-Design Considerations

Chapter 5-Street Design

Chapter 6-Junction Design

Chapter 7-Streetscape Design

Chapter 8-Retrofit of Existing Streets and Junctions

Part III: Supporting Material

Appendix A-Sample Project

Appendix B-Performance Measures

Appendix C-Toolbox of Connectivity Measures

Appendix D-Example Street Configurations

Appendix E-Emirati Neighbourhood Network and Street Design

Appendix F-Local Examples of Good Street Design Elements

Appendix G-Standard Details Appendix H-Definitions Appendix I -References

Acknowledgements

Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates Page i Page ii His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Page iii Page iv Table of Contents Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual Part I: Context & Process Chapter 1-Introduction 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 2 1.2 Purpose of the Manual ............................................................ 2 1.3 Manual Jurisdiction ................................................................. 3 1.4 Who the Manual is For............................................................. 4 1.5 How to Use the Manual........................................................... 4 Chapter 2-Goals and Design Principles 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 2 2.2 Manual Goals ........................................................................... 2 2.3 Manual Design Principles......................................................... 5 2.4 Emirate Influences................................................................... 8 2.5 Urban Street Networks.......................................................... 10 2.6 Street Design and Public Health............................................. 10 Chapter 3-Design and Review Process 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 2 3.2 Design Process......................................................................... 2 3.3 UPC Review Process................................................................ 9 3.4 USDM Exception Process ......................................................... 9 Part II: Design of Complete Streets Chapter 4-Design Considerations 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 2 4.2 Street Typology........................................................................ 3 4.3 Design Priorities & Parameters................................................ 6 4.4 Maintenance and Management.............................................. 12 Chapter 5-Street Design 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................ 2 5.2 Street Composition .................................................................. 2 5.3 Typical Cross Sections ............................................................. 5 5.4 Special Street Types............................................................... 16 5.5 Utility Integration................................................................... 20 5.6 Design Flexibility for Fixed Right-of-Way Dimensions........... 21 5.7 Designing for Pedestrians ...................................................... 25 5.8 Designing for Transit Users .................................................... 30 5.9 Designing for Cyclists............................................................. 31 5.10 Designing for Motor Vehicles ................................................. 34 5.11 Traffic Calming....................................................................... 38 Page v Part II: Design of Complete Streets Chapter 6-Junction Design 6.1 Introduction ............................................................................ 2 6.2 Junction Types......................................................................... 2 6.3 Junction Design Considerations............................................... 2 6.4 Junction Spacing and Layout................................................... 6 6.5 Signalised Junctions ................................................................ 8 6.6 Roundabouts.................................................

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual?

The manual states its purpose, including defining how to guide urban street planning and design work toward the document’s goals and principles.

How does the manual describe the street design process and review workflow?

It covers the design process and includes UPC review and USDM exception processes, clarifying how proposals are assessed and handled when exceptions are required.

What complete-streets elements are addressed in the manual?

It includes street typology and design priorities, street composition and cross sections, utilities integration, and design for pedestrians, transit users, cyclists, and motor vehicles, along with traffic calming.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Sage

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