In implementation of the royal order of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, to preserve the historical and cultural identity of the buildings and cities of Bahrain, revive the Grand Isa Palace, and develop the city of Muharraq in a way that preserves its historical and cultural identity, In implementation of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to activate the executive plan to preserve the historical and cultural identity of Bahrain's buildings and cities and launch the plan to develop the city of Muharraq Her Excellency Mrs. Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, confirmed that the development works of the real estate lands that were expropriated during the last phase in a number of areas included in the first phase of the development of Muharraq City are proceeding according to the timetable prepared for the implementation of the project. The development of the sites that were completed has begun in parallel with the continuation of the development plan for the rest of the properties, within the framework of keenness to deliver the outputs of the first phase within the scheduled date next year.
Minister Al-Rumaihi explained that the project's outputs during the past phase resulted in the development of general and detailed designs and plans to implement the first phase of the Muharraq City Development Project in cooperation with one of the largest specialized consulting companies, in light of which 239 properties were acquired in the specified development areas, so that the work of preparing the acquired sites could actually begin, as well as awarding tenders and concluding special contracts to implement construction and development works.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Planning added that the construction work that has begun includes the construction and restoration of 300 housing units according to the standards and specifications that were previously approved in the project's guidance guide issued by the Urban Planning and Development Authority, which is based on reviving the specifications of Bahraini architecture in the old areas of Muharraq, according to standards that are at the same time consistent with the aspirations of Bahraini families, whom the project aims to resettle in those areas.
The Minister also indicated that the first phase currently being implemented also includes a project to develop 63 streets and corridors, which also includes a comprehensive development of infrastructure services, in line with the capacity and operational capacity of the developed areas. This phase also includes identifying sites to provide 360 parking spaces, accommodating the project's residents and visitors. These parking spaces have been located and numbered according to integrated engineering and irrigation studies.
The first phase also includes providing 47 open squares and green areas, with the unification of lighting network codes, afforestation elements, and shop signs, in line with the unified identity of the project, also indicating that 57 properties of heritage value will be developed in coordination with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
The Minister noted that the current phase is witnessing a significant acceleration in terms of demolition and construction work on the project, with the aim of proceeding according to the timetable that has been set for implementing the project, which will contribute to completing the implementation of the packages of the first phase of the project in several batches, starting from the first half of next year, stressing that the next phase will witness a significant acceleration in the rates of completion rates, which will be announced successively.
As part of efforts to involve citizens in the Muharraq Development Project implementation plan, Minister Amna Al-Rumaihi said that the ministry has already begun construction work on the visitor center, which is part of the outcomes of the first phase of the project, and aims to inform its visitors about the comprehensive plan for the Muharraq City Development Project, and the models of residential units that will be provided in the project, whether through construction or restoration As well as providing all information related to the project, in addition to providing technical consultations according to the guide for the reconstruction of heritage areas, noting that a delegation from the Ministry visited the councils of the people of Muharraq Governorate during the next phase to inform them of the latest developments in the project.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Planning appreciated the joint and integrated coordination witnessed by the project between all the parties responsible for implementing this project, which is one of the most prominent urban development projects implemented at the regional level, noting that the efforts of all these parties contributed to the project reaching this advanced stage, after a series of procedures and preparatory stages witnessed in the next stage At the same time, I appreciate the efforts of Their Excellencies, members of the House of Representatives and the Muharraq Governorate Municipal Council, in supporting the efforts of the government team to achieve the project's objectives.
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