A once-forgotten valley that was synonymous with illegal dumping is on course to become one of Bahrain’s busiest residential and commercial districts, with its population expected to exceed 50,000 within the next two decades.
Buhair Valley, in the Southern Governorate, is undergoing a dramatic transformation as cranes, construction sites and new developments reshape an area that has rapidly emerged as a magnet for investors, businesses, homebuyers and tenants.
What was once a barren landscape has evolved into a thriving urban centre featuring medical facilities, schools, universities, community societies, social housing projects, municipal walkways, apartment blocks, office buildings and residential neighbourhoods.
The district is also home to well-established leading media organisations such as Akhbar Al Khaleej and the Gulf Daily News, alongside television production and cinema studio companies.
The recent development boom is showing no signs of slowing. Plans are under way for a new mosque, mall, office developments, additional apartment complexes and a shopping boulevard that are expected to inject fresh life into the area.
Southern Municipal Council chairman, area councillor and long-time resident Abdulla Abdullatif believes Buhair Valley’s greatest growth is still ahead. “In less than 20 years, Buhair Valley will become a cosmopolitan area with more than 50,000 residents and tremendous commercial activity,” he said. “The demand for the area has grown tremendously.”
He said the pace of change over the past decade had been particularly striking.
“In just 10 years, the valley has travelled a long road towards a bright future,” Mr Abdullatif added. “Just look around and see how much has changed. New buildings continue to rise, businesses are expanding and infrastructure keeps improving.”
Mr Abdullatif said its growing appeal was reflected by the influx of commercial activity, noting that it even became the preferred location for many food truck operators.
“That alone shows the area’s commercial potential,” he said. “Buhair Valley is pure gold.”
Area MP Mohammed Al Rifaie said the district’s remarkable transformation reflected years of planning, infrastructure investment and close co-operation between government agencies and the local community.
“Buhair Valley has become one of the kingdom’s most promising urban growth areas and its potential is far from being fully realised,” he said. “We’re working to ensure development continues in a balanced manner by improving roads, expanding public services and attracting more investment that creates jobs and enhances the quality of life for residents.
“Our goal is to build an integrated city where families have access to modern housing, education, healthcare, commercial facilities and recreational spaces, making Buhair Valley a model for sustainable urban development in Bahrain.”
The transformation is all the more remarkable considering the valley’s past.
During the 1990s, large parts of the area were notorious for illegal dumping, with waste scattered across the landscape. However, stricter government enforcement, environmental clean-up campaigns and sustained municipal efforts over the past decade have completely changed its image.
Today, landscaped roads, public facilities and expanding neighbourhoods have replaced dumping grounds, creating an attractive destination for residents and investors alike.
With major projects continuing to gather pace and more developments in the pipeline, Buhair Valley is increasingly being viewed as one of Bahrain’s fastest-growing urban success stories – an area whose greatest chapter may still lie ahead.
The new proposed Gold City Mall has started ‘pre-leasing’ to prospective retail outlets, a new resident block is closing in on completion, an office building is taking shape and close to a popular public walkway a new mosque will soon to be open too.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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