Abu Dhabi has launched LIVEX 2026, a three-day Liveability and Investment Exhibition showcasing over Dh100 billion in projects aimed at improving city infrastructure and residents’ quality of life. The event opened with more than 20,000 participants from 50 countries, including 1,500 investors and over 100 international speakers, bringing together government officials, developers, and investors to discuss future urban development and investment opportunities.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), highlighted the emirate's commitment to integrating people’s needs into urban planning as part of Abu Dhabi’s wider vision. Central to this effort is the second phase of the Abu Dhabi Lifestyle Strategy, backed by Dh42 billion in funding for new initiatives. This phase builds on the first, which delivered over 60 projects worth Dh12 billion and increased the integration level of residential neighborhoods from 67 percent in 2023 to a projected 81 percent in 2025.
A key infrastructure project announced is the Dh450 million plan to construct two bridges connecting Al Reem Island with Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street. Expected to reduce peak travel times by up to 60 percent, the bridges will have a combined capacity of 7,200 vehicles per hour and include two kilometers of pedestrian and cycling paths, complemented by landscaped areas and smart lighting.
In addition to physical infrastructure, Abu Dhabi is expanding its use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to guide urban development. The recently launched Nabd platform integrates data from over 70 sources and 15 interconnected systems to create a three-dimensional model of the emirate. Scheduled for operational use in early 2027, Nabd will assist planners in monitoring quality of life indicators, housing supply, and development impact to optimize capital allocation.
Other technological innovations include the BIINAA platform, which utilizes AI to streamline building permit approvals, reducing average issuance times by 57 percent and requests for resubmissions by 53 percent since its launch in 2025. For transport analysis, the Fusion Smart Mobility Analysis System models traffic and public transport patterns across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, cutting the time needed for traffic study assessments by up to 40 percent.
LIVEX 2026 features approximately 25 sessions that explore themes such as human-centered urban design, smart technology application, cultural and sustainable city development, and investment and real estate dynamics. Discussions focus on improving access to services, community cohesion, and designing inclusive neighborhoods for diverse populations. Tools like the “Our Holographic Future” platform enable planners to simulate development impacts on pedestrian flow, shadows, green spaces, and public areas before construction begins.
Abu Dhabi’s public-private partnership portfolio totals Dh55 billion, with Dh35 billion dedicated to transport, Dh11 billion to water and environmental infrastructure, and Dh9 billion for social infrastructure. This comprehensive approach aims to balance growth and livability by leveraging advanced technology, data-driven planning, and collaborative investment.