Over the years the United Arab Emirates has witnessed almost unsurpassed development and prosperity, recording comprehensive growth across all sectors, thanks to the wise and far-sighted visionary leadership of its rulers. They have set forward a goal of sustainable growth, by decreeing that infrastructure of the highest standard is to be put in place to anticipate and drive future developments.
The Abu Dhabi City Municipality was established in 1962 as the "Department of Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning". In 1969, a royal decree was issued to appoint the first municipal board for the city of Abu Dhabi, with the task of providing comprehensive services to the public and ensure proper planning of the developing city, with regularized road networks, maintenance services, sewerage, lighting works, launching the Agriculture Development Plan in the Emirate and establishing public markets in various areas.
With the ongoing growth of the Emirate, it was decided, in 2005, to merge Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Works Department, Agriculture and Animal Production Department of Al Ain into the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture, to create a streamlined administration and to provide a higher standard of service to the customer.
In May 2007, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued a law establishing the Department of Municipal Affairs as an umbrella body overseeing the three administratively independent municipalities, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain Municipality and Western Region Municipality.
In 2016, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, issued a Law establishing the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport. According to the Law, the new Department replaces the Department of Municipal Affairs, and the Department of Transport. It also provided for all assets, rights and liabilities of the two departments shall devolve upon the new Department. The Law stated that the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Western Region Municipality, and any Municipality that might be established in future should be affiliated with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport. The new Department shall monitor and oversee the business of all municipalities.
In 2017, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, issued a Decree appointing HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as Chairman of the Executive Council. HH also issued a Decree reshuffling the Executive Council of the Emirate. Accordingly, it has been decided to merge Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and the Department of Municipal Affairs to form the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities. Thus, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Al Dhafra Region Municipality, and any Municipality that might be established in future shall be affiliated with the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities; which shall oversee and monitor the business of the Municipalities and other affiliated parties.
The Abu Dhabi City Municipality, has since its inception, developed a number of key objectives, notably the implementation of projects aimed at establishing modern infrastructure for the city including bridges, drainage systems, road networks, modern means of transportation, consolidation of comprehensive development projects. It has also simultaneously been moving towards attaining the goals set out by the development plans.
In line with the policies of the government which aim at making Abu Dhabi a modern capital city, It is The Abu Dhabi City Municipality’s priority to create an ideal living environment for city residents, with unmatched quality of life and modern amenities.
The Abu Dhabi City Municipality is a founding member of the General Secretariat of UAE Municipalities, a member of the Arab Towns Organization, and the Organization of Islamic Cities.