Lessons on street design from Abu Dhabi

Gulf region takes context-sensitive roadway design to a new level.

Designing streets properly is a challenge not only in North America but also across much of the globe. It is an issue that a team of us have recently made progress on in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the development of the Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual.

The standard approach in the US, the United Arab Emirates, and elsewhere relies on the “functional street classification” system — which, because of its limitations, should perhaps more accurately be called the “dysfunctional street classification system.” This system, accepted by most transportation departments, defines the vehicular movement requirements of the street — basically the curb-to-curb requirements. Its greatest drawback is that it does not address context or what may best serve the local community.

The Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) has long recognized that streets should be designed to reflect and respond to their local surroundings. Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities (CSS), a 2006 publication produced by the Institute of Transportation Engineers in partnership with CNU, was a breakthrough, encouraging designers to take a more responsive approach to street design in

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