27.12.2014
Architects around the world have spent a great deal of time looking at ways of reducing crime by improving the design of buildings and public areas.
With the recent stabbing in Abu Dhabi's Reem Island, safety has become a central issue in the UAE and in the minds of real estate developers.
Architects around the world have spent a great deal of time looking at ways of reducing crime by improving the design of buildings and public areas, The National reported.
In the UAE, too, local authorities are placing more importance on designing out crime.
In Abu Dhabi last year, the Urban Planning Council (UPC) and the Abu Dhabi Police published their first Safety and Security Manual aimed at maintaining low crime levels and preventing terrorist attacks.
“Before the Safety and Security Planning Manual was developed, security planning in Abu Dhabi was largely self-regulated by developers and building owners, often without the input of a security professional or following an integrated planning approach,” says Amer Al Hammadi, the executive director for planning and infrastructure at the UPC. “As a result, many developments disregarded best practices in the security industry, potentially increasing security risk and jeopardising the stability and growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi.”
He says although the guidelines have only been in place for a year, they have already affected the level of security, and points to amendments to the original plan for a large residential development of 1,500 villas.
With the recent stabbing in Abu Dhabi's Reem Island, safety has become a central issue in the UAE and in the minds of real estate developers.
Architects around the world have spent a great deal of time looking at ways of reducing crime by improving the design of buildings and public areas, The National reported.
In the UAE, too, local authorities are placing more importance on designing out crime.
In Abu Dhabi last year, the Urban Planning Council (UPC) and the Abu Dhabi Police published their first Safety and Security Manual aimed at maintaining low crime levels and preventing terrorist attacks.
“Before the Safety and Security Planning Manual was developed, security planning in Abu Dhabi was largely self-regulated by developers and building owners, often without the input of a security professional or following an integrated planning approach,” says Amer Al Hammadi, the executive director for planning and infrastructure at the UPC. “As a result, many developments disregarded best practices in the security industry, potentially increasing security risk and jeopardising the stability and growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi.”
He says although the guidelines have only been in place for a year, they have already affected the level of security, and points to amendments to the original plan for a large residential development of 1,500 villas.