Abu Dhabi, UAE, 7 April 2023: The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has launched a media campaign to raise awareness among Abu Dhabi residents about the 'Onwani' project, which is the unified spatial addressing project for Abu Dhabi. This innovative system employs advanced technologies like geographic information systems and Quick Response (QR) code service to create a smart infrastructure that eases 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 in Abu Dhabi. Its 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 use it. The campaign features a series of short videos that tell stories about the meanings behind the street names in Abu Dhabi. These streets are named after elements inspired by authentic Emirati heritage and culture, in an effort to introduce the Emirati national identity and local heritage to current and future generations, and strengthen their connection to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates.

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, 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 as a whole. The system helps save time and facilitate access to the desired location, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles and preserving the environment. On the other hand, the system contributes to enhancing logistics services and assisting in delivering goods and services quickly and with high accuracy, as well as improving emergency response times and enhancing business planning and management processes by providing accurate information about the required address shared by the client.

The 'Onwani' system has been developed according to the best global practices and systems in addressing and spatial guidance, and it contributes to improving the quality of life in the Emirate's society. It also contributes to driving the national economy by facilitating the movement of individuals and enhancing the smooth transportation of goods and commodities in various regions of the Emirate. By employing advanced geographic information systems and technology in the 'Onwani' system, it becomes easy to find any specific location or address with utmost ease and convenience, which saves time and effort for the society of citizens, residents, investors, and visitors, making the system a significant landmark and a step forward in the sustainable development of Abu Dhabi, enhancing infrastructure, and having long-term positive effects on the society of the Emirate.

H.E Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi, the 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.'

He added: “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.'

Teams from the Department of Municipalities and Transport, in coordination with all partners from government and private sectors, have conducted workshops to introduce the use of the 'Onwani' for logistics services within the unified 'Addressing System'. The aim was to raise awareness and knowledge of the system.

Today, all data and information regarding building and facility addresses is readily available for use on popular navigation and map programs and applications such as 'Google Maps,' 'TomTom,' 'HERE Maps,' and other global navigation systems. This accessibility puts all the information in the hands of Emirate residents and visitors, allowing them to easily and quickly search for their desired destinations by using building numbers, street names, city names, or by scanning the Quick Response (QR) Codes located on building number and street name signs throughout the Emirate. Alternatively, they can use their smartphones to access the information, which helps provide accurate addresses to share with others via social media channels.