The West Bani Yas Residential Project, developed by the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA), has won first place in the seventh GCC Housing Award, held under the theme ‘An Integrated Housing Project with Comprehensive Services that Enhances Quality of Life’. The award was presented during a ceremony held as part of the fourth GCC Housing Week in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This recognition acknowledges ADHA’s efforts to develop an advanced model of integrated government housing that aligns with the award’s objective of encouraging housing projects that meet sustainability and quality-of-life standards and reflect modern urban planning approaches across the GCC. The project addresses the six main criteria used by the award to assess housing projects: optimal location, integrated facilities, connected communities, places for living, cultural and community participation, and smart systems.
His Excellency Hamad Harib Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said: “This recognition is a testament to ADHA’s efforts to develop an integrated housing system that responds to citizens’ aspirations and places their quality of life at the heart of our priorities. It reinforces our commitment to developing sustainable residential communities and leveraging innovation to provide housing options that meet the needs of Emirati families and anticipate future requirements in line with the highest standards.”
His Excellency added: “The West Bani Yas Residential Project brings together outstanding urban planning, ease of living, high-quality facilities and services, community participation, and smart readiness, in line with the GCC’s goals for sustainable housing.”
GCC Housing Award is one of the region’s prestigious housing awards. It is organised every two years under the supervision of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and aims to recognise leading integrated housing projects and highlight outstanding practices in the development of the housing sector across GCC countries.
Located in West Bani Yas, the project covers approximately 5.85 million square metres and comprises 1,659 residential villas, with an investment of AED7.3 billion. The project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027. Its location within the existing urban fabric, together with its connectivity to key transport corridors and neighbouring residential areas, strengthens community integration and urban connectivity.
The project features an integrated range of facilities and services designed to meet residents’ daily needs, including a government school, mosques, retail centres, parks and recreational spaces, as well as sports facilities and dedicated areas for cultural and community activities. It also supports accessibility and inclusive mobility through an integrated internal road network and a design that takes into account the needs of all members of the community, including People of Determination.
The project also incorporates solutions that support sustainability and future readiness, including smart infrastructure for communications, monitoring and emergency alerts, electric vehicle charging stations, and smart systems for traffic and waste management. Its infrastructure is also designed to accommodate emerging technologies, including autonomous vehicles. In addition, 3D printing technology is being used for the first time within the project to construct a two-storey villa, with the aim of accelerating construction, improving efficiency, and reducing material waste in support of more sustainable building solutions.
This achievement further reflects ADHA’s ongoing efforts to create a lasting urban legacy that places people at the centre of planning and enhances quality of life through integrated services and a sustainable residential environment that supports social stability and urban and economic growth.
