Sharjah, February 16, 2019 –The Sharjah Urban Planning Council, the council in charge of planning and overseeing urban and infrastructure development projects and initiatives in Sharjah, has recently announced a new initiative ‘Sharjah Architectural Design Guidelines’, which entails the development of a comprehensive guideline for the design of streets and public realm areas across Sharjah.

The new initiative will help SUPC generate safe and comfortable streets and public areas, which will contribute to creating healthy and vibrant environments for the emirate for people of all age groups.

The initiative was announced through a workshop, SUPC organised at the Hilton in Sharjah, under the presence of Eng. Khaled Al Ali, Secretary General of SUPC, and was attended by more than 60 representatives from Sharjah’s state entities, private businesses and scholars from the UAE.

The guidelines will be used by all relevant stakeholders, such as authorities and consultants involved in the street and public realm design area, during the design construction, renovation and modification of streets and public realm areas projects in Sharjah.

Additional elements incorporated into the new guidelines is the introduction of ‘smart streets’ into the emirate, with unique characteristics and features that promote sustainability and eco-friendly technologies, as well as an integrated network promoting efficient mobility and accessibility of roads and neighbourhoods in Sharjah.

Through this new project, SUPC aims to ensure that higher standards of designs and methods of implementation are adopted while conceptualising and executing roadworks.

The Sharjah Architectural Design Guideline have been formulated to take into consideration the design requirements of all potential users. It prioritises the comfort and safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other community users who have special needs and requirements, for example, children, seniors, and the handicapped. Its overarching aim is to contribute to the transformation of Sharjah as a healthy, safe, happy and sustainable city.

Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairman of SUPC, said: “The Sharjah Architectural Design Guideline initiative is the beginning of a new chapter in the emirate’s holistic development plans led by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who always prioritises the needs of requirements of the people. The overarching goal of this ambitious initiative is to fulfil the growing needs of the new ways of life pursued by people in Sharjah, by creating a public realm that is inclusive, practical, pleasing and safe, and supports healthy and active lifestyles.”

He added: “SUPC and other state entities have been working together to elevate the safety, security, comfort and overall quality of life safety of the citizens and residents of Sharjah. This new initiative will finally bring all these efforts together under one umbrella and one execution standard, streamlining emirate-wide processes and facilitate effective cross-departmental collaboration for roadworks and public realm construction to move forward.”

SUPC made a workshop-style announcement of the initiative to impress on the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration as a fundamental component of the project.

During the workshop, stakeholder views and knowledge were incorporated into the design guideline. Participants identified key challenges and opportunities behind Sharjah’s existing road networks, and how the guidelines can generate positive opportunities.

SUPC took the opportunity to accumulate first-hand data and information straight offered by the workshop’s public sector attendees, and in return, offered them a comprehensive introduction of the vision and goals of the new initiative.

The Guidelines were introduced in a detailed visual presentation delivered by Eng. Khaled Al Ali, Secretary General of SUPC. He introduced the full scope of the new initiative, sharing examples from local and international cities who have successfully achieved positive results, explaining how the Sharjah Architectural Design Guideline will be successful in fulfilling Sharjah’s fast-growing urban landscape.

He said: “Improved street and public realm design standards will lead to happier and more fulfilled communities, which will have a positive effect on the overall quality of life experienced by Sharjah’s residents. Mothers will be more at peace while sending their children out to play, seniors will be more comfortable navigating the streets when they venture out on their own, roadworks will be more streamlined and won’t interfere with the public realm.”

He added: “We express our gratitude for the continued support and cooperation SUPC has been receiving from a large variety of state entities in Sharjah, which reflect on the growing number of interests, engagement and participations we receive in such workshops.”

Explaining the project implementation timelines, Eng. Khaled noted: “The initiative will be implemented over six stages, of which four are complete. The upcoming fifth and sixth stages will include the complete refinement and finalisation of the guideline manual, which will be introduced to Sharjah as a benchmark for infrastructural road works and public realm projects, and rolled out in full by June 2019.”

A new strategy to support the emirate’s drive to achieving three UN SDGs

By 2030, SUPC seeks to fuel Sharjah’s efforts to realise three UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely, SDG Goal n.11.2.1, which aims to increase  the proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by gender, age  and persons with disabilities; SDG Goal n.11.3, which seeks to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations. Finally, SUPC also targets SDG Goal n.11.7, under which it wants to provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

Founded in 2006, the SUPC was formed by the virtue of Amiri Decree No. 5 issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The council aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for urban development and infrastructure projects and oversee the preparation, implementation, follow-up and update of the strategic plans of government entities concerned in urban development, infrastructure and environment issues. The council’s strategies follow the best international standards that perfectly align with the Sharjah’s vision to further the overall sustainable development.