The inaugural Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) 2025, with its agenda for reimagining urban development under the theme “Future Cities: Rethinking Infrastructure for Better Lifestyles”, reinforced Abu Dhabi’s bold and forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development.
H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi, in his opening keynote address, emphasised the emirate’s proactive role in shaping the future; highlighting the inseparable link between growth and liveability, and Abu Dhabi’s drive to lead globally in both economic competitiveness and quality of life through world-class infrastructure.
Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Holistic Urban Progress
At the fireside chat titled “Developing the World’s Most Liveable City: Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Holistic Urban Progress”, H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, joined H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, to discuss the intersection of infrastructure, investment, and liveability.
During the session, H.E. Al Shorafa reflected on the broader vision, noting that Abu Dhabi is not just striving to be liveable, but “lovable”—a place where residents feel truly at home, supported by world-class infrastructure and inspired by a shared sense of belonging and ambition shaped by visionary leadership.
H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) highlighted how strategic infrastructure development is cementing Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and diversification, with the construction sector growing by over 40% in the past five years and its contribution to GDP rising from AED 76.7 bn (£15.5 bn), 7.8% of total GDP in 2020 to AED 107.4bn (£21.7bn), 9.1% of GDP in 2024.
Beyond physical assets
H.E. emphasised that infrastructure in Abu Dhabi extends beyond physical assets to reflect its status as a world-leading smart city, offering advanced digital infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and world-class healthcare, education, and housing that together enhance both quality of life and investor readiness.
Building on this strategic foundation, H.E. Eng. Maysarah Mahmoud Salim Eid, Director General, Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC), reinforced the infrastructure’s role as a powerful tool for societal transformation and unveiled the pivotal ADPIC Five-Year Strategic Roadmap. This comprehensive blueprint outlines key objectives, including climate action, increased private sector participation, local content sourcing, and the expansion of modular construction, all geared towards a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Abu Dhabi.
Pioneering Innovation and Future Technologies
Highlighting how innovations and technologies are poised to redefine infrastructure, sessions explored the transformative potential of advanced construction methods, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) rapidly scale affordable housing, reimagining urban ecosystems, enhancing project planning and management. Insights from global practices, including a presentation on Hong Kong’s construction methods, highlighted its digital transformation and modular approaches. The emphasis was clear: technology is not just an enabler, but a core component of future-proof urban development.
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