Master Plan Update | Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates
In March 2007, Ricondo & Associates, was selected by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and contracted by the Supervision Committee for Abu Dhabi International Airport (SCADIA) to prepare a Master Plan Update for Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Master Plan Update is being prepared as Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE experience unprecedented economic growth.
Concurrent initiatives being undertaken by ADAC include designing a new midfield terminal complex to be located on the west side of the Airport that will serve as the principal hub for Etihad Airways, constructing an expansion of the existing terminal complex on the south side of the airfield, preparing a service area plan for cargo and Airport support services on the east side of the airfield, and planning a free trade zone for multiple areas on the Airport. The overall Airport development program is estimated to cost over Dh 26 billion ($7 billion US). Additionally, ADAC is supporting regional planning studies involving improvements to transportation corridors around the Airport and is participating in joint planning efforts with private corporations that are planning major commercial and residential developments throughout the City and Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The Master Plan Update is intended to guide Airport staff and ADAC’s consultants throughout the development program implementation process. As such, it needs to be dynamic so that it can fit the evolving nature of the environment, and it must be available quickly, as design and construction of major Airport facilities continue to move forward. Therefore, the expedited process will require R&A to synthesize a myriad of other planning studies into a cohesive overall plan in approximately 3 months. To do this effectively, R&A has established a comprehensive production and review process so that quality and timeliness are maximized. Resolving conflicts in differing plans and solving inconsistencies in various details are a significant part of this project. Readability and usability of the materials are essential, as the planning report and its supporting presentation materials will serve as the key planning documents guiding the activities of many users.