Abu Dhabi Consolidates Project Oversight Under One Department as Global Cities Seek Similar Efficiency

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued a decision to establish the Abu Dhabi Centre for Projects and Infrastructure as a new body under the Department of Municipalities and Transport. The centre will review capital projects, supervise their implementation and manage annual budgets.

These steps follow other recent administrative changes that tighten rules on real estate development and policy drafting. The moves arrive while the emirate continues to publish its Official Gazette each month in Arabic and English, listing resolutions from the Ruler, the Crown Prince and the Executive Council Chairman.

Single-Agency Model for Capital Works

Placing the new centre inside the Department of Municipalities and Transport gives one department direct control over project selection, delivery standards and spending. The same department also issued four administrative decisions that tighten escrow account controls. Withdrawals now require 20 percent project completion, and owners' committee bylaws have been standardized.

The approach differs from cities that spread similar responsibilities across separate planning, finance and housing agencies. Abu Dhabi's structure routes both infrastructure budgets and real estate compliance through the same department, reducing the number of hand-offs between offices.

Livability Budget and Policy Updates

A Dh42 billion allocation supports Phase One of the Livability Strategy from 2023 to 2025. The plan aims to raise area integration from 67 percent to 81 percent while adding artificial intelligence tools to planning and expanding public transport networks. At the same time, Circular No. (2) of 2024 replaced the 2021 circular and introduced a single General Policy Guide for all government entities to follow when preparing or evaluating public policies.

Entities seeking project approvals or real estate permits will now work with the Department of Municipalities and Transport under the new centre and the updated escrow rules. The Official Gazette remains the place to check the exact wording of each resolution as it is issued monthly.