City planner Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf pictured with Sheikh Zayed. The Egyptian arrived in 1968 and together with the President drew up the design for the island's city grid and main streets. Photo: Archive
City planner Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf pictured with Sheikh Zayed. The Egyptian arrived in 1968 and together with the President drew up the design for the island's city grid and main streets. Photo: Archive
City planner Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf pictured with Sheikh Zayed. The Egyptian arrived in 1968 and together with the President drew up the design for the island's city grid and main streets. Photo: Archive
City planner Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf pictured with Sheikh Zayed. The Egyptian arrived in 1968 and together with the President drew up the design for the island's city grid and main streets. Photo: Arc

UAE

Sheikha Fatima sends condolences to wife of the planner who helped shape Abu Dhabi

Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf, who died at the age 98 on Tuesday, planned the capital's grid system in the early years of the UAE’s union

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

December 16, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, has sent a message of condolence to the wife of Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf, the city planner who helped shape Abu Dhabi.

Dr Makhlouf, who died at the age 98 on Tuesday, planned the capital's grid system in the early years of the UAE’s union.

A statement on Wam said Sheikha Fatima had contacted Majda Mohammed Hassan to extend her "heartfelt sympathy and solace” to the family.

In addition to the Mother of the Nation, Sheikha Fatima is the Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union.

Dr Makhlouf, whose death was reported by The National on Tuesday, was an Egyptian with an architecture degree from Cairo University and a doctorate from Germany. He first arrived in Abu Dhabi in October 1968.

He came to work for Sheikh Zayed after completing projects in Saudi Arabia, and answered a cable and offer of work from a UN technical office official who was supporting the emirate.

He fell in love with the city and never left, designing the capital’s grid system while sitting on the floor with the country's Founding Father at Qasr Al Bahr, the Sea Palace.

Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf is the man who designed Abu Dhabi. He also won the Abu Dhabi award for life time achievement. Delores Johnson / The National
Dr Abdulrahman Makhlouf is the man who designed Abu Dhabi. He also won the Abu Dhabi award for life time achievement. Delores Johnson / The National
An annotated photo from Dr Makhlouf's book shows plans for Downtown Abu Dhabi and its Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
An annotated photo from Dr Makhlouf's book shows plans for Downtown Abu Dhabi and its Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
City planner Dr Makhlouf joined the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, in the Sea Palace in 1974 where they drew up the design for the city grid and named the main streets. Photo: National Centre for Documentation and Research
City planner Dr Makhlouf joined the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, in the Sea Palace in 1974 where they drew up the design for the city grid and named the main streets. Photo: National Centre for Documentation and Research
Dr Makhlouf shows Sheikh Zayed one of the city's design features. Photo: National Centre for Documentation and Research
Dr Makhlouf shows Sheikh Zayed one of the city's design features. Photo: National Centre for Documentation and Research
An early map of Abu Dhabi from 1967 from the architect's book. Victor Besa / The National
An early map of Abu Dhabi from 1967 from the architect's book. Victor Besa / The National
Early images of Abu Dhabi taken from a book authored by Dr Makhlouf. Victor Besa / The National
Early images of Abu Dhabi taken from a book authored by Dr Makhlouf. Victor Besa / The National
Aerial images of Abu Dhabi's early construction. Victor Besa / The National
Aerial images of Abu Dhabi's early construction. Victor Besa / The National
Dr Makhlouf sits in his office. Delores Johnson / The National
Dr Makhlouf sits in his office. Delores Johnson / The National
Dr Makhlouf's drawing of an expansion of the Suez Canal at the Port Said/Port Fuad entrance.
Dr Makhlouf's drawing of an expansion of the Suez Canal at the Port Said/Port Fuad entrance.
Early sketches taken from a book authored by Dr Makhlouf. Victor Besa / The National
Early sketches taken from a book authored by Dr Makhlouf. Victor Besa / The National
Images of Sheikh Khalifa Street before and after development, taken from a book by the architect. Victor Besa / The National
Images of Sheikh Khalifa Street before and after development, taken from a book by the architect. Victor Besa / The National
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Updated: December 16, 2021, 6:08 AM`