Overview

The Sahel Public Realm Rating System Course is a structured, self-paced learning program focused on the planning, design, assessment, and management of inclusive and accessible Public Realm spaces in Abu Dhabi.

The course presents the Sahel Public Realm Rating System as the official system guiding the delivery of public spaces that are safe, comfortable, legible, and usable by all members of the Community. Through nine structured modules, participants progress from core principles and regulatory context to technical requirements, design considerations, assessment processes, and applied implementation in real public environments.

Participants will explore how Sahel requirements are applied across streets, plazas, parks, waterfronts, and other Public Realm assets, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, safety, and user experience. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to translate requirements into effective design and operational decisions that enhance social interaction, well-being, and overall quality of life.

Course Deliverables

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

Explain the purpose and strategic role of the Sahel Public Realm Rating System in delivering inclusive and accessible public spaces in Abu Dhabi.
Understand the regulatory and policy context governing Public Realm planning, design, and operation under Sahel.
Describe the structure of the Sahel Public Realm Rating System, including rating levels, categories, and asset types.
Identify and apply mandatory Public Realm requirements as the minimum threshold for certification.
Integrate accessibility, safety, comfort, and legibility into the design and management of Public Realm spaces.
Apply coordinated design and planning strategies to achieve multiple Sahel requirements across public environments.
Prepare structured, compliant documentation and evidence for Public Realm submissions in line with Sahel standards.
Explain the Sahel Public Realm certification lifecycle, from registration and assessment through certification and renewal.
Apply Sahel requirements to real Public Realm scenarios, evaluating spatial challenges and proposing inclusive, user-focused solutions.

Course Content

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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 2: 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 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 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: Public Realm Rating Categories and Structure

This Module provides a detailed introduction to the rating categories of the Sahel Public Realm Rating System, explaining how they establish benchmarks for accessibility and inclusion in public spaces. Participants explore how each category contributes to creating streets, parks, plazas, waterfronts, and open spaces that are safe, comfortable, and usable by everyone.

The Module highlights the integrated nature of the categories and demonstrates how thoughtful design decisions can address multiple accessibility goals simultaneously. By the end of the Module, participants gain practical insight into applying the categories effectively to deliver high-quality public realm environments that support social interaction, well-being, and quality of life in Abu Dhabi.

Module 06: Mandatory Requirements and Evidence Standards

This Module provides an in-depth understanding of the mandatory requirements across all Public Realm themes within the Sahel Public Realm Rating System. It explains how mandatory credits form the foundation of certification and outlines the evidence required at both pre-certification and certification stages.

Participants explore the minimum compliance rules, common compliance gaps in public realm projects, and practical measures to avoid submission failures. The Module also introduces a structured self-audit checklist to verify readiness before submission. By completing this Module, participants are equipped to prepare accurate, consistent, and fully compliant Public Realm submissions that support safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces.

Module 07: Integration Strategies and Best Practices

This Module explores how integration across Sahel Public Realm categories leads to more efficient design, clearer evidence preparation, and higher-quality public spaces. It demonstrates how thoughtful design decisions can satisfy multiple requirements simultaneously, reducing duplication and improving user experience.

Through hypothetical case scenarios, the Module illustrates how integration works in real public realm projects such as plazas, streets, parks, and transport hubs. Participants also learn how to identify evidence synergies and use the Sahel Public Realm scorecard as a coordination tool throughout planning, design, construction, and handover stages.

Module 08: Certification Lifecycle for Public Realm

This Module walks participants through the complete certification lifecycle for public realm assets under the Sahel Public Realm Rating System. It covers the process from registration and applicability checks, to pre-certification submissions, assessor reviews, final certification, and renewal requirements.

The Module demonstrates how certification ensures that streets, plazas, parks, and transport hubs are not only designed to be accessible but continue to perform effectively over time. It emphasizes the importance of documentation, site audits, and user feedback in maintaining compliance and delivering public spaces that remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all users.

Module 09: Applying the Sahel Public Realm Framework to Real Scenarios

This Module brings the Sahel Public Realm Rating System to life through immersive simulations that reflect everyday experiences in public spaces. Participants step into real-world scenarios involving plazas, streets, parks, and waterfronts, examining how design decisions directly influence accessibility, safety, comfort, and dignity.

Through two applied simulations and a feedback-driven improvement section, the Module demonstrates how public spaces evolve through user input and ongoing refinement. Participants gain practical insight into applying Sahel requirements in dynamic environments and ensuring public realm assets remain inclusive and welcoming over time.