Abu Dhabi
Weaving life’s rich tapestry

In little over a century, Abu Dhabi’s transformation from modest pearl-diving communities to a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis is a testament to its visionary urban planning and improving liveability. Central to this evolution is the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), which spearheads initiatives fostering social cohesion and communal wellbeing. “Liveability is all about human-centric connection,” says DMT chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa. “That means removing whatever barriers are in the way of our people and our businesses achieving their goals and living the best life they possibly can. So, when we say that we want Abu Dhabi to be the world’s most liveable city, we mean a city where the physical, economic and cultural environment provides everything our citizens and residents need to thrive.”

In 2025, Abu Dhabi was named the world’s safest city for the ninth year in a row after it topped Numbeo’s rankings of 385 global cities. This remarkable achievement reflects the emirate’s shared prosperity and culture of tolerant, peaceful coexistence, as well as its comprehensive security strategies. A two-way dialogue with Abu Dhabi residents is a crucial factor in the emirate’s exemplary quality of life. The Dream Neighbourhood Survey welcomed feedback from residents young and old, allowing DMT to tailor projects that resonate with the community’s needs and aspirations. One cornerstone of the city’s increased liveability is the introduction of green spaces. In 2023, six SLA-designed neighbourhood parks in Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa City won the Monocle Design Award for Best Urban Park. A further 23 parks were opened in Khalifa City alone last year, so now 95 per cent of residents can walk to a park in less than five minutes. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, these green areas provide increased shade and cooling effects.

Similarly, the 15 new parks built on North Island will offer opportunities to improve physical wellbeing and help foster a sense of belonging among residents. “We’ve noticed now how the behaviour of families has changed,” says Hamda Al Hashmi, director of DMT’s Urban Design Division. “Take the father who goes with his sons to pray in the mosque. When they leave now, they might spend half an hour in the park around the mosque. We really want to encourage these types of interactions. People from the different houses are coming together. And a lot of the social cohesion and healthier behaviours, like jogging and cycling, are happening because that infrastructure is there.”

Abu Dhabi has more ambitious plans in the pipeline, yet DMT’s focus on improving the little things in life is already making the big difference. Smart local initiatives, such as the extended Al Gurm Corniche promenade through the natural beauty of Mangrove National Park or the community market in Shakhbout City, are the small threads that combine to form a citywide tapestry of vibrant daily life.

Thoughtful urban planning and community-centric projects coalesce in Abu Dhabi to create a city that is dynamic, prosperous and thriving on the collective wellbeing of its inhabitants.