I don’t want to sound overly pessimistic – pessimism is not part of my character. On the contrary, I am an optimist to the core. But sometimes, realism is necessary in all aspects of life, and it’s important to stay grounded rather than indulging in rosy dreams.
The Smart Buri Project, announced recently by the Urban Planning and Development Authority, hopes to transform the area into a smart city. However, this also calls for a cautious and realistic look at whether this ambition can be turned into tangible reality anytime soon.
The vision envisages a forward-looking future for one of the oldest and historic villages in Bahrain, by merging heritage with modern technology. The area is also expected to host the King Hamad International Station and two Bahrain Metro stations, placing Buri as a central hub on the national transportation map.
The new urban plan is distinguished by its four main pillars: public transportation, a cultural corridor, preservation of agricultural identity, and multifunctional urbanism. It also embraces the principle of “transit-oriented development”, which redefines the relationship between people and place, promoting active mobility and sustainability.
No doubt, this is an ambitious vision that aligns with the spirit of digital transformation and sustainable development, and resonates with Bahrain’s Vision 2030, which places human development at its core.
However, as the director of Urban Studies and Policy noted at the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit, the project goes far beyond infrastructure. It requires flexible design, digital integration, broad community engagement and the implementation of six advanced strategies – from data utilisation to local community involvement in decision-making.
And this is precisely where the practical challenge lies. Despite its noble goals, the project faces fundamental obstacles that cannot be ignored: from sustainable financing to institutional co-ordination, and the pressing need for a cultural and administrative shift in planning and implementation mechanisms.
Do we truly possess the institutional and cultural foundation necessary for such a profound transformation? Can a village the size of Buri really evolve into a fully integrated smart urban model, given the bureaucracy, limited resources and overlapping mandates among the involved authorities?
To many, the project currently appears more as an idealistic vision than a practical, immediately implementable plan. The announcement did not clarify the estimated budget, nor did it specify a timeline for implementation or completion. Such statements, to me, are more like promotional content that neither nourishes nor satisfies!
The government is indeed striving hard to implement major development projects in areas such as sustainable development, renewable energy, healthcare, housing, education, and integrated infrastructure. These projects are allocated massive budgets and are prioritised based on national development goals. However, due to economic and financial challenges, not all targets can be met simultaneously. It is understandable, therefore, that some projects may be postponed in favour of others based on urgency and importance.
One hopes that the Buri project translates into carefully studied and practical steps – starting with what is feasible and progressing toward what is hoped for, without allowing dreams to race too far ahead of reality.
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