CLASSIFICATION of individual plots of land in congested areas of the Capital Governorate will be approved on a case-by-case basis, it has emerged.
The move aims to prevent chaotic development with overcrowding and the collapse of infrastructure networks.
The Capital Trustees Board will vote today to reclassify two massive plots in Abu Ghazal, which is home to several businesses and diplomatic missions.
This comes despite reservations from Parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman and area MP Ahmed Al Salloom – who called for computerised classifications to continue so that lengthy wait can be avoided for applicants.
The capital includes Manama, Seef, Sitra, Tubli, Juffair, Adliya, Sanabis and Mahooz.
“The governorate has all infrastructure like roads, sewerage, electricity and water,” he said.
“Each area is generally classified and services are planned accordingly. To give an example, Abu Ghazal has embassies and businesses, Juffair has multi-storey buildings and services depend on these classifications,” he said.
“Addressing the classification of plots each and every time a project is submitted is unnecessary as it may lead to investors waiting for months on end.
“Long-term planning is vital and it should be able to cope with any population surge or demand for services.” he added.
Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said Bahrain has won acclaim for its strategic planning.
“The government is not taking things as they come, there is a general planning, but specifics related to classifying plots for massive projects remains an issue of individual assessment,” he said.
“The review to classify or change classifications of existing plots can be done after assesssing whether the project is needed, if the area is saturated, if there would be pressure on infrastructure services, and how the networks would fare out.
“Authorities take time and see what suits each plot and the go ahead is given based on a consensus – disregarding one aspect would have a devastating impact on urbanisation and population surge.”
Mr Tarradah said certain reviews over the years were wrong.
“We have just introduced unified procedures for urban planning as part of a restructuring of the capital a few months back,” he said.
“Is anything perfect? No. But, it is important to end the ‘random’ approval of projects.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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