DCD and Aldar join forces to create new inclusive Yas Island community destination
Nabdh Yas hub will support engagement, learning and social participation
ABU DHABI – The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD) and Aldar have partnered to develop Yas Community Park, a new destination on Yas Island designed to bring residents and visitors together through shared experiences and meaningful community interaction.
The park will offer an open and inclusive environment that supports everyday connections while encouraging engagement among different segments of society.
At the centre of the development will be Nabdh Yas, a community hub created in partnership with DCD to serve as a gathering space for families, youth, seniors and the wider community. Upon opening, the hub will host a range of community-led initiatives focused on connection, learning and participation in an accessible and welcoming setting.
The agreement between DCD and Aldar introduces a new model of public-private partnership, with private sector investment being directed towards community infrastructure of this kind for the first time in Abu Dhabi. The initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s approach to developing innovative models that create long-term social value and support community wellbeing.
Partnership model
The Nabdh Yas hub will be developed under an agreement that establishes a framework to expand the Nabdh Community Hub model across Aldar’s developments in different areas of the emirate, including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Chairman of DCD, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar Properties. It was formalised by Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of DCD, and Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Properties.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, said: “Yas Community Park brings our vision of inclusive, accessible communities to life. It reflects Aldar’s belief that community begins with belonging, in places that are welcoming, inclusive, and shaped by the people who use them. Our collaboration with the Department of Community Development on Nabdh Yas further reflects a shared commitment to creating places that bring people together and enrich everyday life across Abu Dhabi.”
Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of DCD, said the partnership marks an important step towards strengthening the presence of community centres within residential neighbourhoods and transforming them into vibrant spaces that encourage interaction and connection among community members.
He added that the Nabdh community centres are designed to create integrated environments that provide opportunities for participation, learning and volunteering, while empowering different groups within society to contribute to programmes and activities that enhance quality of life and reinforce shared responsibility.
The Undersecretary further noted that the collaboration with Aldar represents a model of integration between the public and private sectors, extending beyond the creation of facilities to the development of a complete community experience built around sustainable impact.
Community focus
Under the agreement, DCD will identify community requirements, establish the regulatory framework and oversee programmes and activities delivered within the hubs. Aldar will use its urban development expertise to ensure the hubs meet high planning and engineering standards while aligning physical development with community needs.
The partnership covers all stages of delivery, including planning, design, development and operation, with the aim of creating sustainable, inclusive and accessible community spaces suitable for all age groups.
The launch of Yas Community Park represents a significant milestone in the Yas Inclusive City initiative, a joint effort between Aldar and DCD to position Yas Island as a benchmark for accessibility and inclusive urban living.
Aligned with the Year of Family’s principles of connection and belonging, the park has been designed to encourage togetherness and support family wellbeing through spaces that enable shared experiences and everyday interactions.
Located between Yas Island’s major attractions and its expanding residential communities, Yas Community Park will provide a shared environment supporting the continued growth of community life on the island.
Park features
The development will include a mosque, an inclusive playground designed to ensure accessibility for children of all abilities, shaded outdoor areas and family-friendly spaces that encourage activity and interaction. A range of retail offerings will also be introduced to support daily needs while creating opportunities for local businesses within the community setting.
At its heart, Nabdh Yas will act as the social and cultural centre of the park, delivering programmes and experiences that reflect Abu Dhabi’s diverse communities while promoting values of connection, belonging and participation. The hub forms part of a wider network of Nabdh Community Hubs that have delivered hundreds of community programmes and activities since their launch.