Interview: Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning
In which ways does Bahrain’s real estate strategy support sustainable urban development?
AMNA BINT AHMED AL ROMAIHI: Bahrain, through the Higher Urban Planning Committee, is advancing urban planning and ensuring sustainable development to align with its comprehensive roadmap. The kingdom’s urban planning goals, in line with Bahrain’s strategic framework – Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 – prioritise urban development as a key aspect of national progress. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) is focused on sustainable city planning, addressing urban expansion and a rising population. Efforts include updating zoning and construction regulations to meet evolving urban development needs and urban sector policies, and implementing real estate development projects.
What specific initiatives are being undertaken to address housing affordability and accessibility?
AL ROMAIHI: The MHUP has presented many programmes addressing the affordability and accessibility of housing in the kingdom, building on a long history of developing the social housing sector. That legacy commenced with the inauguration and opening of the Isa Town housing project in the 1960s, followed by Hamad Town in 1984 and Madinat Zayed in 2001. The ministry has constructed five housing cities since 2012, namely Salman City, Khalifa City, East Hidd City, East Sitra City and the Ramli District. These developments ensured the provision of thousands of housing options to citizens, complemented by essential elements to enhance the quality of life in these cities, such as access to educational, health and sports facilities and services.
The ministry has pursued several paths to expedite and enable access to social housing, while actively involving the private sector in implementing housing initiatives. At the forefront of these strategies is the Housing Financing Programme, which provides citizens with flexibility in choosing the type of housing that best suits their needs – such as purchasing or constructing a house, acquiring land, buying land and building property, investing in a property with a relative, or sharing among a group of beneficiaries to obtain joint housing. Moreover, the government has increased the financial subsidy available to eligible Bahraini citizens, raising both the minimum and maximum values of housing financing.
To what extent are environmental considerations integrated into new real estate projects?
AL ROMAIHI: The Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA) is committed to incorporating environmental factors into the planning of new real estate projects. This includes conducting hydrodynamic studies for submerged developments to safeguard against adverse impacts on seawater quality and circulation. Additionally, the UPDA emphasises the importance of adhering to waterfront standards for projects situated along coastlines.
It is essential to highlight that planning decisions revolve around environmental considerations, as the authority promotes the sustainability of natural resources. For example, a submerged property is not licensed if the results of hydrodynamic studies indicate a negative impact on the quality and movement of seawater currents, based on the results of environmental impact studies approved by the Supreme Council for the Environment.
It is worth noting that the UPDA supports real estate projects that are dedicated to achieving sustainable development and an eco-friendly economy. One of the approaches the UPDA uses is the inclusion of green spaces to improve air quality and contribute to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. The authority also encourages initiatives to develop sustainable communities that achieve a balance between the economy, the environment and society.