The urban planning and development sector has achieved major progress in recent years, including the completion of 96 detailed development plans covering 10 per cent of Bahrain’s total area, Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi said yesterday.
The government continues to update regulations in this vital sector, which contributes to both social and economic development, supports housing projects, and opens new opportunities for urban regeneration in different parts of the kingdom, she added.
The minister revealed details as she took part in the opening of the Urban Planning, Housing and Construction Exhibition and Conference in Muscat.
The event brings together government officials, experts, developers and financial institutions from across the GCC to exchange expertise, showcase leading housing and urban planning practices, explore investment opportunities, and strengthen partnerships.
“Bahrain’s housing and urban development plans are based on the principles of sustainability and the goal of supporting the kingdom’s comprehensive development,” Ms Al Romaihi said.
“These plans aim to provide decent living standards for Bahraini citizens – the main focus of national development – and promote projects and initiatives in which the private sector plays a key role.
“Bahrain’s social housing sector has become an integrated system that includes both government and private entities. Successful partnerships between the two sectors in recent years have provided thousands of housing services for Bahraini families, through both traditional housing projects and financing schemes,” she said, highlighting the Government Land Development Rights Programme as an example of an initiative that has expanded co-operation with the private sector.
The minister said that the participation of banks, commercial institutions, and real estate companies has diversified housing options and helped citizens access housing more quickly. This, she added, has also supported growth in other related economic sectors.
Ms Al Romaihi tours the exhibition with ministers and officials
The minister also took part in a ministerial session titled ‘Sustainable Housing Models in GCC Countries’, alongside Oman’s Housing and Urban Planning Minister Dr Khalfan Al Shuaili. She reviewed Bahrain’s experience in diversifying housing options through private sector partnerships, as well as the government’s vision for planning and developing urban areas, including the Muharraq City Development Project and the Manama Souq Heritage District Project.
“The partnership approach with the private sector has played a major role in expanding housing services since 2014, providing more than 27,000 housing units in addition to the traditional construction of Bahrain’s five housing cities.
“The housing finance programme has provided more than 21,000 housing loans, helping Bahraini families access homes immediately without waiting periods. These results reflect citizens’ growing confidence in the financing options, which now include diverse purposes and flexible repayment schemes.
“Partnerships with real estate developers have directly provided more than 6,000 social housing units, including more than 3,000 units in the Deerat Al Oyoun project, and more than 2,500 units in Salman City and Al Lawzi,” Ms Al Romaihi said.
She also cited completed projects under the Government Land Development Rights Programme, such as Suheil in Al Lawzi, Al Naseem in Salman City, Al Wadi in Al Buhair, and Hoora Sanad in the Southern Governorate, as well as projects carried out by Eskan Bank.
She added that private sector companies are also expanding the overall housing supply by developing new projects that support government financing programmes. “This partnership will continue to grow, with plans to develop more than 3,000 new housing units in Khalifa City and additional projects to meet increasing demand and provide more options for citizens.”
Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi met Oman’s Housing and Urban Planning Minister Dr Khalfan Al Shuaili, on the sidelines of the Urban Planning, Housing, and Construction Exhibition and Conference in Muscat. She commended the Omani ministry for its efforts in expanding housing services and implementing large-scale housing projects, noting the significant progress achieved in this field.
Ms Al Romaihi highlighted that the government has developed five major housing cities – Salman City, Khalifa City, East Hidd Housing City, Sitra Housing City, and Ramli Housing District – which have provided homes for thousands of Bahraini families. She said these cities were planned according to modern urban design standards that promote quality of life, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
The minister emphasised the important role of urban planning in attracting investment and supporting economic growth. She said the Urban Planning and Development Authority continues to implement policies aligned with Bahrain’s National Strategic Master Plan 2030, which outlines sustainable urban growth across the kingdom and ensures that development meets city sustainability standards.
Ms Al Romaihi also noted Bahrain’s focus on urban regeneration projects that preserve cultural heritage and identity, referring to the royal directives on the redevelopment of historic Muharraq City and the Manama Souq Heritage District, both of which have made significant progress in their first phases.
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