A NATIONWIDE review of all public parks, gardens, beaches and walkways is currently underway as authorities aim to improve the efficiency of municipal services, address shifting public use trends and rein in unnecessary spending.
The ambitious initiative is being led by Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah, who has launched a co-ordinated effort with the country’s three municipal councils, the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, Parliament and the Shura Council.
“There is no proper assessment of existing and new municipal facilities according to actual community needs or local demographics,” he said.
“We lack even the most basic data – whether these parks are being used by the elderly, people with disabilities, families with children or couples.”
Mr Tarradah stressed that Bahrain’s current approach to municipal development has often led to misaligned investments.
“It is useless to remodel a park that has two visitors a day, spending thousands of dinars, while there are neighbourhoods in desperate need of recreational spaces, where people have to travel long distances,” he explained.
Last year alone, around BD12 million was spent on new parks and green spaces in the Capital Governorate, according to Mr Tarradah.
“There is no clear breakdown of how those facilities are used or by whom. We are essentially building in the dark.”
As part of the review, Mr Tarradah is proposing the use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to collect and analyse data on public facility usage.
“We cannot rely on manual head counts, like we do at the Bahraini Farmers Market, where someone stands at the entrance tallying visitors,” he said.
“That is not only inefficient, it’s a waste of human resources.
“AI technologies already exist that can identify individuals anonymously, classify age groups, analyse usage patterns and generate real-time feedback,” he added.
“The point is not surveillance, but understanding how to serve people better.”
Mr Tarradah acknowledged that the review would be a long-term undertaking.
“This is not something that will be finished in a day, a month or even a year.
“We have started the groundwork, and we hope to conclude by late next year.”
According to Mr Tarradah, the results of the study will be shared with relevant legislative and executive bodies to guide long-term development strategies.
“We’re not just building parks,” he said.
“We are building communities that are inclusive, efficient and sustainable.
“The project reflects a broader national push toward smarter, evidence-based policy decisions and improved co-ordination among Bahrain’s urban governance stakeholders.
“Public input and feedback mechanisms may be introduced in the coming months to ensure citizens’ voices are part of the planning process.”
Supporting the initiative, Capital Trustees Board vice-chairwoman Khulood Al Qattan said that the review also aims to address the uneven distribution of public facilities across Bahrain.
“Some areas are over-served with gardens and walkways that barely see foot traffic, while others have dense populations and no nearby recreational space,” she said.
“It’s not about removing parks, it’s about making sure they are placed where they are truly needed and maintained according to usage.”
She added that many ageing parks suffer from lack of upkeep due to limited funding and poor planning.
“We want to redirect funds to where they make the most impact, and that starts with having accurate, up-to-date data.
“The findings from the review are expected to influence future urban planning, including the approval of new public spaces, the redevelopment of existing facilities, and the implementation of smart infrastructure.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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