A new manual aimed at cutting energy and water consumption while improving public health through better building practices has been approved in Bahrain.
The Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure, chaired by Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, announced the approval of the Bahrain Green Building Guide during a meeting of the panel yesterday.
It seeks to establish frameworks that promote reduced energy use, more efficient water management, improved indoor environmental quality, and enhanced sustainable mobility practices.
According to the provisions of the Green Building Manual (under Law 212, 2019), all buildings, including free zones, ought to follow the set of classifications.
Exemptions apply to temporary structures scheduled for demolition within two years of construction, as well as certain projects where the provisions are difficult to apply, such as high-rise buildings, shopping malls, hospitals and heritage properties.
The green building regulations form the basis of a national rating system for sustainable buildings and acknowledges the use of better construction methods.
The regulations in the manual specify that all designated buildings with 20 or more parking spaces must provide preferred parking for a mix of low- or zero-emission, fuel‑efficient and carpool vehicles.
It also stipulates requirements relating to the percentage of landscaped area within a building plot, the use of light‑coloured exterior paints, adequate ventilation and daylighting, designated smoking areas, and the provision of facilities for the sorting and storage of recyclable materials, among other measures.
The manual seeks to support Bahrain’s strategic planning goals by promoting a more sustainable urban environment and enhancing the capacity of the kingdom’s infrastructure to meet future development needs.
It is intended as a guideline for developers, owners, operators, designers and construction professionals who wish to comply with the rules and regulations set out in the manual.
Meanwhile, the ministerial committee commended the announcement on the completion of repairs to 71 homes under the first batch of damaged houses resulting from the malicious Iranian attacks across cities and various areas of the kingdom.
Officials also reviewed the latest updates on the remaining batches, expressing appreciation to all national cadres within Team Bahrain, across ministries and relevant entities, for their diligent field follow‑up.
The committee congratulated Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak on being honoured, alongside several Arab and international officials, for his effective contributions to the development of the date palm and date production sector during the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, held earlier this week in the UAE.
Members welcomed the launch of a package of advanced digital government services by the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) and the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation, facilitate procedures and enhance service delivery to citizens.
In response to recent local Press reports, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed Mr Al Mubarak to take the necessary measures to inventory all exposed agricultural drains and develop appropriate solutions in co-ordination with the Works Ministry.
Shaikh Khalid also tasked the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry with intensifying field inspection campaigns to remove encroachments on public facilities and prevent the illegal occupation of roads.
The committee further discussed a proposal to launch an electronic platform dedicated to monitoring and tracking its priorities and initiatives, ensuring accuracy in implementation and timely delivery in line with defined schedules.
&uuid=(email))