In 1962, with the discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi, the British government organized the submission of plans for a modernized and expanded Abu Dhabi from two leading British construction companies—Sir William Halcrow & Partners and Scott & Wilson, Kirkpatrick and Partners. Their plan was for the erection of a show capital, in spirit – if not in form – like Brasilia, under construction in Brazil. There was little enthusiasm for these expensive plans but they formed the basis for later development in terms of the area designated for the new city and the basic ground plan. When Shaikh Zayid became ruler he ordered them to be made more ambitious. He would not accept the Halcrow plan which required him to give carte blanche to the developer, relinquishing control after initial approval and with little opportunity for enlargement or development.

The new ruler saw in building a city an opportunity to resolve many of the social problems that confronted the emirate. From his early experience in al Ain, Shaikh Zayid was very conscious of his duty to his people. He knew the grinding poverty of their lives, their often poor living conditions, and how vulnerable they were to illness or accident. His desire to improve their lives therefore dictated his primary tasks when he became ruler. He did not accept the advice that he was given—to move slowly, tackle problems one by one, and think carefully about the cost of everything. He was determined from the beginning to confront every aspect of his agenda—to end poverty, and to provide the people with healthcare and decent living conditions.