Overview

The Sahel Community Rating System course delivers a structured and implementation-focused perspective on Abu Dhabi’s official approach to advancing accessible and inclusive community development. Rather than introducing concepts alone, the course examines how Sahel operates within planning approvals, project lifecycles, and regulatory coordination.

Participants will gain insight into how the system shapes decision-making at the master-planning level, influences design strategies, and strengthens long-term community performance. The course also clarifies governance mechanisms, stakeholder responsibilities, compliance pathways, and performance evaluation processes that underpin successful certification.

By positioning accessibility and inclusivity as measurable planning priorities, this course equips professionals with the clarity required to align development outcomes with Abu Dhabi’s urban advancement objectives.

Course Deliverables

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Explain the vision, strategic objectives, and regulatory context of the Sahel Community Rating System and its alignment with Abu Dhabi Vision and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Describe the structure of Sahel, including its three tiers-Buildings, Public Realm, and Communities-and how they operate as an integrated system.
Interpret rating levels, credit categories, and certification pathways applicable to community-scale developments.
Identify the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders involved in the certification lifecycle, including qualified professionals, developers, consultants, and assessors.
Apply the 11 community rating categories within planning and design scenarios to support accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability objectives.
Prepare and organize compliant documentation in accordance with DMT submission and review requirements.
Incorporate Sahel principles into master planning strategies to enhance community performance and livability outcomes.
Evaluate development scenarios and recommend improvements to achieve higher rating performance.
Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of Sahel requirements through successful completion of the final assessment.

Course Content

Expand all

Module 01: Strategic Foundations of Sahel

This Module provides a comprehensive strategic introduction to the Sahel Rating System, outlining its background, purpose, and foundational principles within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It explains the alignment between Sahel, Abu Dhabi Vision, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as its legal foundation under Federal Law No. (29) of 2006 concerning the rights of People of Determination.

The Module demonstrates how the Sahel Rating System translates legal obligations and strategic objectives into clear, measurable requirements through rating levels, credits, and scorecards. It highlights the critical role of accessibility in enhancing safety, inclusivity, sustainability, and economic value across buildings, communities, and public spaces.

Module 02: Sahel System and Universal Design Principles

This Module explores the origin and development of the Sahel Rating System as Abu Dhabi’s dedicated system for accessibility and inclusion across buildings, communities, and the Public Realm. It explains the guiding principles that shape Sahel, with a focus on Universal Design and the "People First" philosophy.

The Module illustrates how Universal Design principles are embedded within Sahel requirements to ensure usability, dignity, and independence for all users. It also highlights the value of Sahel for key stakeholders, demonstrating how the system supports inclusive decision-making, enhances project quality, and aligns global best practices with Abu Dhabi’s local context.

Module 04: Stakeholder Roles and Collaboration

This Module focuses on the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in delivering and maintaining accessibility under the Sahel Rating System. It explains the role of the Sahel Qualified Professional (SQP) as the central coordinator, along with the responsibilities of asset owners, developers, consultants, assessors, and certifying bodies.

The Module highlights the importance of structured collaboration, clear documentation, and coordinated workflows throughout the project lifecycle. It demonstrates how effective stakeholder engagement and accountability ensure consistent implementation of accessibility requirements and long-term compliance.

Module 05: Community Rating Categories and Structure

Delve into the 11 community rating categories that form the foundation of Sahel’s Community Rating System. Each category-from Inclusive Integrated Design to Use-Specific Special Provisions-is explained in detail, with examples of how it enhances inclusivity, safety, and comfort in community-scale developments. Learners will understand how to interpret these categories and apply them cohesively to design connected, human-centered neighborhoods.

Module 07: Integration Strategies and Best Practices

This module examines how integration across the Sahel Community Rating System categories enhances master planning efficiency and strengthens overall community performance. It explains how well-informed planning decisions can address multiple requirements simultaneously, reducing duplication and improving project outcomes.

The module guides participants in designing smarter, more inclusive communities by integrating Sahel requirements effectively throughout planning and design stages. It highlights best practices drawn from projects in Abu Dhabi and demonstrates how transportation systems, public spaces, and building components can be aligned within the community master plan to maximize accessibility impact and resource efficiency.

Through practical examples, participants gain a clear understanding of how integration functions as a strategic tool to improve community performance and support long-term sustainability objectives.

Module 03: Rating Levels, Credit Types, and Certification Process

This Module explains how the Sahel Rating System measures and verifies accessibility through a structured rating and certification approach. It introduces the four rating levels - Accessible, Adaptable, Inclusive, and Exemplar- and clarifies the distinction between mandatory and enhanced credits.

The Module also outlines how scorecards and credit weighting determine overall project ratings, and it describes the full certification lifecycle, including registration, pre-certification, final certification, and renewal. Through this Module, participants gain a clear understanding of how accessibility performance is assessed, documented, and maintained over time.

Module 06: Mandatory Requirements and Evidence Standards

This module provides an in-depth understanding of the mandatory requirements across all categories within the Sahel Community Rating System. It explains how mandatory credits establish the core foundation of certification and outlines the required evidence at both pre-certification and final certification stages.

Participants will examine minimum compliance requirements, common gaps in community-scale development projects, and practical measures to prevent submission delays or rejections. The module also introduces a structured self-audit checklist to verify project readiness prior to submission.

By completing this module, participants will be equipped to prepare accurate, consistent, and fully compliant community submissions that support safe, inclusive, and sustainable master-planned developments.

Module 08: Certification Lifecycle for Communities

This module provides a structured, step-by-step roadmap for achieving community certification under the Sahel System. It covers the full certification lifecycle-from registration and applicability checks to pre-certification for phased developments, assessor review, and final approval.

Learners will gain practical insight into documentation workflows, coordination with reviewers, and common checkpoints that support smooth submissions. The module also highlights strategies for maintaining certification over time through effective follow-up, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

Module 09: Applying the Sahel Community Rating System to Real Scenarios

This module enables participants to apply their knowledge to realistic, practice-based community scenarios. It presents two simulated case studies: the development of a new sustainable neighborhood and the enhancement of an existing district to improve accessibility and inclusivity.

Participants will evaluate design alternatives, identify potential accessibility challenges, and propose practical strategies to achieve higher certification levels. These applied simulations reinforce experiential learning and build confidence in implementing Sahel requirements within real-world community development projects.