‘Addressing’ the Modern Cities

To date, 99 per cent of address number signs have been mounted and 97 per cent of street name sign foundation & poles implemented across Abu Dhabi Municipality

Full implementation of the Onwani (‘My Address’) unified addressing system in Abu Dhabi is ongoing. To date, all address entrances have been mapped in both urban and rural areas and 99 per cent of the blue address number signs have been mounted outside buildings. Next to the number, these also include QR Codes with details about the address.

In addition, all new overhead street name signs have been installed on the main intersections on Abu Dhabi Island, together with route numbers to assist way finding. Furthermore, 97 per cent of the foundations and inner poles (the inner element that supports the sign structure) for the street name signs have been implemented all over Abu Dhabi city.

The new addressing system in Abu Dhabi is an example of good co-operation between the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) and Abu Dhabi City Municipality. “In the areas where all signs are installed, visitors and residents of these areas will simply have to provide the street name and building number in order for anyone to find their address ,” said Dr Abdullah Ghareeb, Executive Director for property management, property regulations and registrations at the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA). “In addition, they can also enter the address in their car navigation system or in the Onwani app to navigate to a location.”