A NATIONAL committee could be set up to assess and decide the fate of dilapidated homes and buildings reportedly endangering people’s lives.
Councillors claim that several properties have been left to fall apart as the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) refuses to let them be demolished, claiming they are of heritage importance.
Residents in certain neighbourhoods have been complaining that abandoned structures create an unsafe environment, with rodent infestations, safety hazards and criminal and immoral activities.
“Families living near these ‘social and environmental menace’ are concerned for the well-being and safety of their children,” said Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif.
“There are fears that the children could be lured by criminal elements with sweets and candies.”
He said people who are misusing the abandoned properties are confident that residents will not dare enter the premises due to their dilapidated condition, or fear that they could be attacked, robbed and killed.
Meanwhile, Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said the committee should focus on abandoned homes and not confuse them with labour accommodations and shanty towns, which should be left to the relevant authorities to deal with.
“We understand that abandoned and dilapidated homes and buildings can’t be razed without a court order, but until then one needs to keep a careful eye on them.”
He pointed out that despite some of these properties being sealed off, some anti-social elements have managed to create openings which they reseal when they are out so as not to raise suspicion.
“Preserving heritage is important but we have to balance that with ensuring people’s safety and protecting their right to do with their real estate as they wish.”
Muharraq Municipal Council public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Meghawi said real and quick action was needed to ensure the public’s safety and peace of mind.
Capital Trustees Authority inspections and monitoring department head Mariam Al Seddiqi said 15 abandoned and dilapidated properties have been demolished since March this year over safety fears.
Authority director general Mohammed Al Sehli said a demolition announcement is put on the building days before it gets bulldozed or knocked down.
On the Unesco World Heritage List is the historic Pearl Route in Muharraq, which is a series of cultural heritage sites.
It consists of three oyster beds, a seashore and 16 architectural properties throughout Muharraq, each relating to an aspect of the pearling economy connected by a visitor pathway.
It also includes three new structures, two visitor centres and a pedestrian bridge linking the shore to the town, as well as an urban design project and facade upgrade of the pathway.
The preservation of traditional buildings included reinstating lost wind towers for natural climate control using materials that matched the originals, such as coral stone reused from demolished structures and wood.
Also on the World Heritage Site list is Bahrain Fort and Baca has been working for the past 10 years to preserve the 3.5km route. Restoration work on the fronts of 400 homes is already in progress.
Third on the list are the Dilmun Burial Mounds.
The Old Town Manama is vying for World Heritage Site status as it was named on a tentative list to be considered for Unesco nomination along with Hawar Islands and the Awali Oil Settlement.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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