The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has launched a media campaign to raise awareness of the Onwani system, the unified spatial addressing system for Abu Dhabi.
The innovative platform uses advanced technologies, such as geographic information systems and Quick Response (QR) code services, creating efficient access and navigation to different destinations across the emirate.
The awareness campaign is being implemented in multiple languages to reach different segments of society across Abu Dhabi. The aim is to educate people on how to use Onwani to access any address in Abu Dhabi, and the unique benefits it offers, ultimately encouraging more members of the community to adopt it. The campaign features a series of short videos that tell stories about the meanings behind the street names in the emirate.
These streets are named after elements inspired by authentic Emirati heritage and culture, as well as prominent figures, to introduce National identity and local heritage to current and future generations, while strengthening their connection to the history and heritage of the UAE.
Onwani contributes to facilitating the access of individuals, businesses, and visitors to any destination or location in Abu Dhabi with efficiency and effectiveness. This is achieved by numbering buildings and naming streets in different parts of Abu Dhabi by, using unique numbers for buildings and facilities, and unique names for streets that reflect the Emirati identity.
The importance of the system lies in the many benefits it offers to individuals, businesses and society. The system helps save time and facilitates access to desired locations more quickly, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles and preserving the environment. The system also contributes to enhancing logistics services and assisting in delivering goods and services promptly and with high accuracy.
Other benefits include improving emergency response times and enhancing business planning and management processes by providing accurate information.
The Onwani system has been developed to meet best global practices in addressing and spatial guidance, contributing to improving the quality of life in the emirate. It will also drive the national economy by facilitating the movement of individuals and enhancing the transportation of goods and commodities in various regions of the emirate.
The system is a significant landmark and a step forward in the sustainable development of Abu Dhabi, enhancing infrastructure and having long-term positive effects.
His Excellency Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi, Director General of Operational Affairs at the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said: "Onwani provides innovative solutions that can create a qualitative shift in transportation and navigation methods in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will have multiple and long-term positive impacts that support the national economy and solidify the emirate's position on the map of innovation and smart cities. Through this innovative system equipped with advanced technologies, residents of the emirate will be able to navigate and discover different places and destinations in Abu Dhabi more easily and in less time than ever before.
“Onwani reflects the Department of Municipalities and Transport's commitment to continuous development of the infrastructure of the emirate's cities and improving the quality of life for its residents. The system enhances Abu Dhabi's position as a model to be followed by other cities around the world as it embodies the value of innovation and collaboration to improve public services."
Department of Municipalities and Transport, in coordination with partners from government and private sectors, has conducted workshops to introduce the use of Onwani for logistics services within the unified Addressing System.
