A proposal seeking to allow residential construction on the first and second floors across selected housing unit models has prompted concerns from the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry, which has warned of its potential impact on neighbourhood appearance and architectural harmony.
The proposal, originally presented by the Northern Municipal Council, aimed to introduce an exception that would permit building above existing ground-floor structures in government housing units where similar extensions already exist, giving homeowners greater flexibility to meet family needs.
In an official response, Housing and Urban Planning Ministry Under-Secretary Fatima Al Mannai cautioned that the move could significantly affect the front architectural façade of residential units.
Ms Al Mannai
“The proposal is expected to create visual inconsistency in the front façades of housing units,” she said. “Allowing residents to choose whether or not to build additional floors based on individual needs will inevitably lead to disparity in the overall appearance of neighbourhoods.”
Ms Al Mannai explained that some beneficiaries would proceed with construction while others would not, resulting in uneven skylines and fragmented visual identity within housing developments.
“This variation negatively impacts the general urban landscape, particularly when buildings along the same street adopt different heights and designs,” she added.
She revealed that the ministry had previously halted similar construction models, noting that only one experimental pilot had been approved – in Salman Town – strictly for ‘testing’ purposes.
“That model was implemented on a trial basis only,” Ms Al Mannai said. “Based on the outcomes, the ministry decided not to expand this approach further due to its effect on architectural cohesion.”
Despite the ministry’s reservations, the Northern Municipal Council has maintained that housing realities and changing family needs justify revisiting the proposal – albeit with caution.
Northern Municipal Council technical committee chairman Jassim Hejres said the council respected the ministry’s position, but believed the idea deserved further testing under controlled conditions.
Mr Hejres
“We understand the concern regarding visual distortion, but there is also a genuine need among residents for additional living space,” he said. “That is why we are calling for another pilot scheme in a different location, rather than dismissing the concept entirely.”
Mr Hejres stressed that a carefully-selected pilot area could help assess whether improved design controls and uniform guidelines might reduce visual inconsistency. “If architectural standards are clearly defined and applied uniformly, it may be possible to balance residents’ needs with urban aesthetics,” he explained.
He added that many housing units already include informal or partial extensions, which could be better regulated through an approved framework rather than left unchecked.
“A controlled pilot project allows us to evaluate real-world outcomes instead of relying solely on theoretical concerns,” he said.
The council’s proposal was initially submitted as part of efforts to offer greater flexibility to housing beneficiaries, particularly large families facing space constraints. However, any implementation would require close co-ordination with the ministry to ensure compliance with planning standards.
The issue is expected to remain under discussion, with both sides agreeing on the importance of evidence-based decision-making before any wider rollout of revised housing construction policies.
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