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A proposal mandating the inclusion of accessibility requirements for people with disabilities in buildings exceeding three storeys has been unanimously approved by the Capital Trustees Board.
The move presented by the board’s financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Bashar Ahmedi is designed to bolster inclusivity, safety and compliance with international standards.
It requires all public and private buildings exceeding three storeys to include accessibility features compliant with international standards before being granted electricity connection certificates.
The initiative marks a shift in the board’s policy, originally considering the requirement for buildings taller than five storeys, but ultimately amending the threshold to three storeys to widen its scope and impact.
“The goal is to ensure that no resident or visitor is excluded from using our urban infrastructure safely and comfortably,” said the board’s technical committee chairm an Mubarak Al Nuaimi.
“We carefully studied the proposal and reached a unanimous conclusion that integrating international accessibility standards into our building codes is essential for a modern, inclusive and sustainable Capital Governorate.”
According to the committee’s official report, the primary motivations behind the initiative are:
1. Enhancing public safety and improving the functionality of building systems.
2. Promoting sustainable and inclusive urban communities by raising awareness among building owners and managers and strengthening regulatory oversight.
3. Ensuring ease of access for individuals with disabilities to both public and private multi-storey buildings, including government facilities.
4. Guaranteeing safety and comfort during movement and usage of facilities.
5. Aligning with local and international standards and improving quality of life through inclusive design.
“This is not simply a matter of physical infrastructure; it is a matter of social justice and equality,” said Dr Ahmedi.
“People with disabilities have long faced challenges navigating buildings that were never designed with their needs in mind. With this decision, we are correcting a long-standing oversight and positioning Bahrain as a leader in urban inclusivity.”
One of the key enforcement mechanisms introduced in the recommendation is the linking of compliance with accessibility standards to the issuance of the building’s electricity connection certificate.
This condition will serve as a gatekeeper step, ensuring that developers and building owners prioritise accessibility during the construction phase.
“The link to the power connection is a practical and enforceable measure,” said Dr Ahmedi.
“Without it, there’s a risk that accessibility features would remain optional or get sidelined. This ensures accountability.”
“The shift from the initially suggested five-storey threshold to three storeys reflects a strategic decision to expand the impact of the policy across a wider segment of Bahrain’s building stock.
“This is not just a win for people with disabilities,” said Dr Ahmedi. “It’s a win for everyone who believes in equal opportunity, universal design and the right to live with dignity. Accessibility is not a luxury, it is a right.”
The proposal has been forwarded to Municipalities
Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to
forward to Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi for review.
Authorities will likely collaborate with architects, developers and municipal inspectors to define the specific technical criteria and standards that buildings must meet, based on globally recognised accessibility frameworks.
“As Bahrain continues its push toward inclusive urban planning and development, this recommendation by the Capital Trustees Board stands as a significant legislative and moral milestone,” said Dr Ahmedi.
“It not only reinforces the kingdom’s commitment to upholding international conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities, but also sets a new precedent for municipal policymaking rooted in empathy, functionality, and forward-thinking design.”
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