Abu Dhabi’s livability blueprint showcased as global model at World Cities Summit Abu Dhabi’s Livability Strategy and its focus on creating holistic, people-centric districts was highlighted as a global success story to government leaders, mayors, and city officials at the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2026 in Singapore. Addressing global leaders at the event, Abdullah Mohammed Al Blooshi, Director General of the Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC) at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), presented the emirate’s vision for building resilient communities that seamlessly embed its livability agenda within a single, unified framework. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. This approach is underpinned by Abu Dhabi’s centralised administrative model, which consolidates planning, transport, and municipal infrastructure under the DMT to streamline complex masterplans. This close alignment has enabled the emirate to successfully manage a 51 per cent population growth over the last decade, by setting adaptable development objectives that evolve alongside demographic changes, utilising real-time data and resident feedback to ensure rapid expansion never compromises community well-being. How Abu Dhabi build livable and Sustainable cities? Speaking at the Future Cities Leadership Plenary, How Do We Build New Cities?, Al Blooshi demonstrated how Abu Dhabi translates the event’s theme — Livable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now! — into tangible outcomes. He highlighted that Abu Dhabi is shaping its cities to enhance the daily lives of those who call the emirate home. This is evaluated by tracking how comfortably people can navigate and access their districts, while monitoring resident satisfaction alongside walkability, public spaces, and proximity to essential services. These metrics are then used to optimise targeted investments in parks, facilities, and public services designed to foster social connection. Al Blooshi said: “The World Cities Summit serves as an essential forum