Latest news with #communityhubs
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
North Somerset council to consider almost 500k in library cuts
Funding for libraries in North Somerset could be cut by almost £500,000, according to the local Somerset Council will spend around £2.25m in the next year on its library services, but it said it must make cuts of at least £443,000 over three years starting from 2026, a cut of around 20%.It is now looking to approve a public consultation on 18 June, which would ask residents how the future of libraries looks in the council said while its library service is "well-loved", it wants to ensure it adapts amid rising costs and lower funding. A spokesperson for North Somerset said a 12-week consultation over the summer will ask residents how community outreach can be improved, what adjustments could be made to opening hours, and how services can be maintained with less service has 10 local libraries, a community library in Congresbury and a mobile service which visits 27 places. There is also a delivery service and a digital library on member for culture, leisure and open spaces, Councillor Mike Solomon said: "Our libraries are more than buildings – they're community hubs, safe spaces, and gateways to knowledge. "I want to stress that we remain fully committed to providing a quality library service that meets our statutory responsibilities and is fair, accessible and future-proof."He added: "No final decisions will be made until we've heard from our communities and residents."
Arabian Business
20-05-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi set to create additional ‘Nabdh' community hubs under new DCD–DMT agreement
Abu Dhabi is set to roll out a wider network of 'Nabdh' community hubs under a new agreement between the Department of Community Development (DCD) and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), as reported by WAM. The initiative aims to enhance community engagement, foster belonging, and improve residents' overall quality of life. The agreement, announced this week, will see more Nabdh hubs established across various regions of the emirate. The DMT will oversee the development and support of these facilities, ensuring that modern standards are met and cater to all segments of society. Purpose-built spaces for connection and inclusion The first of its kind, Nabdh hub in Abu Dhabi was designed as an inclusive space to encourage community interaction, provide access to enriching programmes, and offer support services tailored to the needs of families, youth, and senior citizens. Hamad Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development, highlighted that the agreement aligns with the goals of the Year of Community, by creating more inclusive spaces that nurture cooperation, belonging, and shared experiences among community members. 'This collaboration will expand our reach to a wider audience and enable us to develop sustainable programmes that resonate with community members, ultimately improving their quality of life,' Al Dhaheri said. He stressed the importance of thoughtful design to ensure the hubs serve different age groups effectively from youth empowerment initiatives to wellbeing support for older adults. Investing in quality-of-life infrastructure 'Providing advanced community facilities across Nabdh hubs is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at creating infrastructure that enhances the residents' quality of life in Abu Dhabi. We believe that developing these centres plays a key role in enhancing social cohesion while reflecting the dynamic nature of Abu Dhabi's urban landscape,' Dr. Saif Sultan Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary of DMT said. 'Collaborating with the Department of Community Development has enabled us to achieve higher levels of inclusivity in developmental projects, demonstrating our commitment to building and developing modern facilities defined by engineering and architectural excellence. These initiatives play a vital role in supporting the Emirate's efforts to provide social infrastructure and services that meet the highest standards and best practices,' Al Nasri added. The expansion of Nabdh hubs aims to highlight Abu Dhabi's continued investment in social infrastructure and its commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods. The initiative is aligned with the Emirate's long-term vision of building communities that are resilient, connected, and empowered through purpose-driven design and programming.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi to establish more 'Nabdh' community hubs
ABU DHABI - The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD) and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), signed an agreement marking to expand and establish more "Nabdh" community hubs across various regions of the Emirate. The first-of-a-kind 'Nabdh' community hub in Abu Dhabi is designed to facilitate community engagement and connections by providing inclusive spaces for community members. Under the agreement, the DMT will offer support in establishing the new hubs and develop modern facilities that cater to all community segments. Eng. Hamad Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of DCD, highlighted that the agreement aligns with the goals of the Year of Community by creating more inclusive spaces that nurture cooperation, belonging, and shared experiences among community members. 'This collaboration will expand our reach to a wider audience and enable us to develop sustainable programmes that resonate with community members, ultimately improving their quality of life.' He confirmed the importance of designing these hubs thoughtfully to cater to various age groups. The hubs will offer a conducive environment to empower youth, enhance the well-being of senior citizens, and provide families with access to enriching programmes and activities. Dr. Saif Sultan Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary of DMT, commented, 'Providing advanced community facilities across Nabdh hubs is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at creating infrastructure that enhances the residents' quality of life in Abu Dhabi. We believe that developing these centres plays a key role in enhancing social cohesion while reflecting the dynamic nature of Abu Dhabi's urban landscape.' "Collaborating with the Department of Community Development has enabled us to achieve higher levels of inclusivity in developmental projects, demonstrating our commitment to building and developing modern facilities defined by engineering and architectural excellence. These initiatives play a vital role in supporting the Emirate's efforts to provide social infrastructure and services that meet the highest standards and best practices," Al Nasri added.
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sandton City's rooftop transformation set to redefine African retail
The property business line in the Insurance and Asset Management (IAM) business unit of the Standard Bank Group, Liberty Two Degrees (L2D), a precinct focused retail-centred portfolio, aims to continue to position its malls as hubs that offer more than just the traditional shopping experience. To embrace the evolving needs of customers, L2D intends to create vibrant community hubs and lifestyle destinations, and is thus expanding the offering at Sandton City, as part of its strategic rooftop masterplan. In line with the L2D Interactive Spaces strategic building block, that aims to provide vibrant and diverse spaces and experiences within the malls, L2D's vision for Sandton City will ultimately unlock the rooftop to future development opportunities and a thriving potential for leisure, sport and dining in the heart of Africa's richest square mile. Through the strategic redevelopment of Sandton City's rooftop area, L2D's long-term master plan is designed to align with the evolving lifestyle needs of its increasingly diverse and experience-driven customer base. Melinda Isaacs, developments executive at L2D comments, 'The development of the Sandton City rooftop holds a pivotal opportunity in the mall's evolution. "We are not only introducing new lifestyle elements but reimagining how customers engage with our retail spaces, ensuring our malls are relevant and responsive to future-facing consumer behaviours. Through this opportunity, we aim to create multifaceted hubs that support societal needs. "In addition to creating interactive spaces, the aim of the rooftop activation is to create safe spaces through the provision of a safe urban space where visitors can increase their dwell times. This will also ensure that we continue to attract a broader demographic to the centre.' Rooftop lifestyle upgrade The initial implementation of Sandton City's rooftop initiative began with the installation of Net Set Padel, a premium padel centre located at entrance 8 with the indoor courts officially opened in March 2025. With sweeping 360-degree views across the Sandton skyline, the rooftop facility features four indoor and four padel outdoor courts built to international standards. L2D's vision for Sandton City's new rooftop activation is to ultimately feature a curated mix of recreation, entertainment, and convenience-led amenities to encourage longer dwell times and attract a broader market segment. 'This phased transformation forms part of Sandton City's broader 20-year spatial plan to remain at the forefront of international retail trends, while adapting to changing consumer expectations,' adds Isaacs. Elevated urban experience By converting underutilised rooftop space into a multifunctional destination, L2D is positioning Sandton City as an integrated urban node where retail, sport, dining and digital convenience intersect. Sandton City already houses over 375 world-class brands and experiences. With this rooftop transformation underway, the centre is set to further entrench its position as South Africa's leading hub of retail, entertainment, and curated lifestyle. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
