The National staff
ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) picked up two international security awards for its Abu Dhabi Safety and Security Planning Manual.
The UPC scooped the International Achievement Award and the Counter Terrorism Solution of the Year at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards 2014, in the UK.
The manual, launched in 2013 in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police, is the first manual that combines both crime prevention and counter-terrorism guidelines for urban development.
The Security Excellence Awards took place on November 27 in London and was attended by nearly 1,000 people. Now in its 16th year, the awards have consistently broken new ground in highlighting the best people, projects and processes the security sector has to offer.
The UPC was shortlisted as a finalist in each of the three categories it entered: the International Achievement Award, Counter Terrorism Solution of the Year, and Contribution to Security Standards. The awards were accepted by Amer Al Hammadi, executive director of planning and infrastructure, on behalf of the UPC.
“The UPC is extremely proud to be receiving this international award. Before the safety and security planning manual was developed, security planning in Abu Dhabi was largely self-regulated by developers and building owners, often without the input of a security professional or following an integrated planning approach,” said Mr Al Hammadi.
“As a result, many developments disregarded best practices in the security industry, potentially increasing security risk and jeopardising the stability and growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi. Through working collaboratively with all stakeholders, we have created a manual that incorporates best practice design for creating safe, secure and resilient communities and infrastructure.”
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