Early in the twenty-first century, Abu Dhabi was the quintessential boom town as the proceeds from vast oil production transformed its traditional landscape. But since 2007, the Emirate has become a showcase where explosive piecemeal expansion was superseded by visionary planning and development management – with a deliberate focus on sustainability, livability, and cultural sensitivity.

Planning the Future of Abu Dhabi explains this dramatic transformation. Working with Abu Dhabi colleagues, Canadians led the founding of a progressive planning agency. Their rapid and comprehensive process resulted in state-of-the-art guidance for development, including thorough urban and regional plans, a development control system, transportation innovations, environmental stewardship, and training for handover to local management.

Larry Beasley, the overall project leader, and Michael White, the key in-country lead, bring together the Canadians to tell the story of how the Emirate was repositioned as a model in the Middle East for advanced, responsible growth.