3 Strategies and policy development

3.1 Strategies and policies by the government’s vision

3.1.1 Abu Dhabi block retrofitting (grids)

Existing super blocks face issues relating to having big parking spaces causing difficulties for the pedestrians (2.5 Personal experience allows for a comparison of super blocks). These issues can be solved by the government’s latest vision for retrofitting existing superblocks.

These superblocks must be redeveloped with new structures (underground parking), open spaces, parks, and public domains, resulting in increased pedestrian traffic, a safer environment, and greater possibilities for social interaction (Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, 2007).

Conversion of parking spaces and development of underground parking or structures to free up space for the pedestrians can be carried out by private construction companies and generate their investment and revenues through tickets and commercial means (advertisement, retail, etc.).

3.1.2 Housing

As we have seen in the past, the usual independent dwelling plan was created with social considerations in mind, and we have lost sight of such arrangements as time has gone. The city planning authority has devised a new strategy to alter dwelling typologies and adopt designs that prioritize social interactions, green areas, and resident safety (Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual, 2021).

3.1.3 The multi-modal transport system

The city of Abu Dhabi now relies only on bus and automobile services as its significant modes of transportation, which makes them highly reliant on the bus system due to the expensive taxi costs. Temperatures also have a considerable influence in this context since individuals prefer to commute by automobile in hot weather. The city planning department has developed a strategy for creating a multi-modal transportation system that will complete by 2030 (Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, 2007). To help realize this aim, the government created a concept known as entire streets (Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, 2007). This vision emphasizes people of determination and includes all modes of transportation within 15 minutes of reach (Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, 2007)

3.1.4 Parks and public spaces

The government's 2030 aim is to develop and establish public parks. Creating spaces of interaction linked to public transportation, this concept will assist improve air quality and encourage a healthy lifestyle (Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual, 2021). Anyone walking to a park should aim for a distance of 350 meters (Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual, 2021)

3.2 Firm’s strategies

3.2.1 Inequality

Following our discussion of the difficulties in Musaffah, we will devise solutions to address these concerns and promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle for the area's low-income residents. The ideal method is to follow the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a framework for reducing inequality in a given location.

Education as a long-time investment is one of the key and effective methods to close inequality gaps. It provides an incentive for people to stay healthy and reap the benefits of such an investment. Increasing the education level also helps reduce the number of chronic conditions in the city (Lundborg and Petter, 2008). Another essential aspect is that people’s mental health is compromised due to poor living conditions and a lack of social and public spaces. Again, this can be tackled by helping them with equal opportunities, identifying these pockets, and providing them with a healthy infrastructure (Single Equality Framework Policy Statement, 2017).

Abu Dhabi has come up with sustainable cities known as the Masdar city and a few upcoming cities, one of which is known as the capital city; instead of focusing on new cities, if these visions can be applied to a town like Musaffah, that would help the people with a new and updated infrastructure creating more public spaces and parks for better social interactions between people and having a sound transport system to Abu Dhabi.

• Supporting case study – Trent city council plans

Trent's city council devised a series of rules to address the city's inequity. They closed disparities in educational achievement, worked towards eliminating discrimination, promoted equal opportunities, then identified and addressed problem areas (Single Equality Framework Policy Statement, 2017). They worked with communities to make towns more dynamic and healthier (Single Equality Framework Policy Statement, 2017).

3.2.2 Creating awareness

Abu Dhabi's pedestrian-friendly environment is underutilized for various reasons, and the city is more reliant on automobiles. As previously stated, the government's vision will take care of the physical attributes of the location and ensure that it is still accessible and convenient for people to use; the other challenge will be to raise public awareness and communicate a message to them through the city about the benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

One method is to dedicate a whole week to campaigns, such as cycle day, which will feature bike-related campaigns. Another strategy will be to raise awareness about the importance of driving less, with a car-free day campaign in Spain being one of the greatest examples (Edwards and Tsouros, 2008). These measures would aid us in obtaining improved air quality, educate people on a healthy lifestyle, inform them about environmental concerns, and, most crucially, solicit public comment.

▪ Supporting case studies

• Spain

San Fernando de Henares, Spain, dedicates one week to a sustainable mobility week, during which the city town centers are closed to vehicles for one day, and bicycle campaigns are held throughout the week (Edwards and Tsouros, 2008). People explore, discover, and help assess locations for local governments to take action in these projects (Caballero, 2021).

• Odense Denmark, Numerous projects to promote and enable cycling were adopted in the early years. The city has come up with lanes such as cycling super highways (Bitterfeld, 2015). The cycling paths havecollaboratedwith the transportation system of the city (Bitterfeld, 2015). Bicycles are owned by nine out of 10persons in Denmark (Bitterfeld, 2015).

Cyclists in Copenhagen cut CO2 emissions by 20000 tones every year, while residents who pedal in Copenhagen seek 1.1 million fewer sick days (Bitterfeld, 2015).

3.3 Policies

Policy 1 –

The central parking spaces of super blocks must be converted into public spaces and green spaces by developing separate structures or creating an underground parking system. The urban planning authority can allot this work to the private sector.

WHO checklist – improves social interaction, promotes physical activity, and improves air quality which helps reduce health problems.

Policy 2 -

The upcoming and future housing typologies must follow the latest vision of design that was once used in the past, such as courtyard planning. The design must be made mandatory for private consultancies to follow.

Who checklist – improves social interaction, focused on a healthy lifestyle and having a vision.

Policy 3 -

The transport department of Abu Dhabi must start the multi-modal transport system by the year 2023, along with the completion of the vision for streets known as the complete street.

Who checklist – Active transport and public transport for the city.

Policy 4 -

The urban planning authority must start the work of achieving the vision of having a park with a radius of 350 meters for the residents by 2023. This will further quicken achieving the public realm’s vision by 2030.

WHO’s checklist – helps achieve an active city and improves social and physical interactions between the city.

Policy 5 -

The Ministry of human resources must develop educational schemes to benefit the city’s lowincome families, which will help as a future investment to reduce inequality and create awareness.

WHO’s checklist - help reduce inequality

Policy 6 -

The health and transport authority must collaborate to create campaigns and close down central regions of the city for cars for a day to bring people on the streets for these campaigns (car-free day).

WHO’s checklist – involving people, social interactions, creating awareness, and reducing CO2 emissions.

Policy 7 –

Re-urbanizing of Musaffah should be done based on the vision of the upcoming cities, such as the capital city; the urban planning authority must identify these pockets in Musaffah and implement the idea to benefit the people and improve their living conditions.

WHO’s checklist – reduces inequality which in turn helps improve mental health.

Policy 8 -

The urban planning authority should focus on developing and improving dedicated cycling paths and networks and also make sure to have shading plans for these pathways.

WHO’s checklist promotes cycling, an active lifestyle, and will reduce the use of cars, which will help better the air quality.

4 Conclusion

While the current cities in the world have been striving toward a healthier lifestyle and contending forthehealthy city award,AbuDhabi is preparingto competeforthe WHO's healthycityaward for the year 2022 for the first time.

Abu Dhabi has always worked towards an active lifestyle, as we have seen in the past, where the city’s roots (history) have been directed towards operational planning of the city. The government of Abu Dhabi faced the biggest challenge of covid-19 in a very strategic manner that focused on keeping the people safe and checking on their mental health, especially for people of determination.

The city has excellent infrastructure, but it falls short in some regions and is needed to encourage people to be more active since its health analysis is alarming. The city is still working to improve its air quality, and the government has begun developing initiatives to address the problem. Another issue we discovered in the city is the contrasted character of Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, where certain sections have been victimized by inequity. Personal encounters are the most excellent way to learn about a city. This paper has highlighted my experiences and presented a comparison of blocks, highlighting both the smart layout of superblocks and the green areas in between, and made a comparison of blocks that have the potential for a change

The paper's last section focuses on addressing issues of inequality by implementing educational programs that assist low-income families and enhance Musaffah's living conditions, which will boost their mental health. The essential component of the paper is to raise public awareness and assist people in understanding the risks of living a sedentary lifestyle and how it affects their health. Every year, a week is dedicated to raising awareness by engaging people in activities such as cycling and soliciting their thoughts for improving the city in the best possible way for the city's residents.

The above-explained methods have been used to explain best why the city is competing for the award of the healthy city 2022. The city is not only focused on becoming a healthy city but also on becoming a symbol and a landmark for other cities to follow.

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