The Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC) at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) approved a development capacity of 43.6 million square metres of Gross Floor Area (GFA) across development projects and master plans during the first half of 2026, representing a growth of 40 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, with a net increase of 12.46 million square metres.
These areas represent the approved development capacity within master plans and projects, providing a clear foundation for planning future requirements in housing, public amenities, transport, and infrastructure, and supporting balanced urban growth across the various regions of the emirate.
His Excellency Eng. Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, Director General of the Urban Planning and Permits Centre at DMT, said: “These record results confirm Abu Dhabi’s capacity to absorb its urban growth within an integrated planning framework. We do not measure success by the volume of approved space alone, but by our ability to align this growth with Abu Dhabi’s urban plan, quality-of-life priorities, and the carrying capacity of transport and infrastructure. This integrated approach supports the development of thriving communities that attract residents and long-term investment.”
On the approvals front, the first half saw the issuance of 4,730 new building permits, representing an annual growth of 0.9 per cent. Additionally, the initial rollout phase of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) system covered 119 transactions, in a step aimed at raising the quality of engineering reviews and improving coordination among entities, developers, and consultants.
As part of regulating the engineering profession and enhancing sector efficiency, 4,574 new engineers were registered and licensed during the period, bringing the total number of registered and licensed engineers with the department to 10,280.
In development-related infrastructure services, the total number of services provided rose to 22,035, an increase of 5,280 services and a growth of 31.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. These services included the approval of utility line corridors, residential connections, parking facilities, pedestrian sidewalks, building entrances, road projects, and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
To enhance field response efficiency, DMT completed 15,375 transactions within 24 hours out of a total of 18,777 survey transactions and field visits, equivalent to nearly 82 per cent of the total. The department also completed 54,852 requests for technical site inspections, an increase of 4,922 requests and a growth of 9.9 per cent, supporting the oversight of compliance with safety, quality, and engineering requirements.
These results reflect the integration of roles at UPPC across strategic planning, development activation, permitting, regulation of the built environment, oversight, and digital transformation. The DMT continues to develop a system that measures performance not only by transaction volume, but also by the impact of planning on district completion, service quality, execution speed, and the appeal of the urban environment for living and investment.
