THE status of 148 properties in A’ali has been changed as part of a major development project as plans for it to gain ‘healthy city’ status gather pace.
The properties were given new specifications, and were redistributed following plans to develop blocks 714, 730 and 740 in the constituency, covering almost half of the area.
Area councillor Hussain Al A’ali said the buildings were also given engineering dimensions, commensurate with classifications proposed, for owners to benefit from them.
A road network has also been developed taking into consideration the rapid urbanisation and resultant increase in the flow of traffic.
Mr Al A’ali said the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry’s Urban Planning and Development Authority has identified entrances and exits linking the plan to the main streets.
A main road – 25m wide – has been developed from Hoorat A’ali to Road 12. Service stations and public facilities have also been provided.
“The comprehensive plan also includes one main electricity station as well as 19 electric sub-stations, two gardens, two sewage treatment plans as well as three public parking lots,” he said.
“Properties have been allotted for future government plans, including the creation of an urban complex to meet all service requirements for area residents.”
Meanwhile, Urban Planning and Development Authority land development consultant Aliya Rahma said the ministry preferred commercial complexes to shopping streets.
“Traditional commercial streets have a negative impact on traffic flow. It often leads to traffic congestion while commercial complexes provide a consistent and beautiful urban look for the area,” she said.
Malls would also be built in A’ali while areas could be reserved for special nature projects or retail schemes.
“Requests made by the council and residents will be taken into account in addition to the requirements of the neighbourhood. A comprehensive study will be conducted,” she said.
Ms Rahma also said that unplanned lands could be used for developing the road network, infrastructure and services.
“There are vacant lands that could be utilised for development projects. The law will be implemented for the public benefit and owners of the plots will be compensated in accordance with procedures under the acquisition law,” she added.
The GDN reported in April last year that work was underway to achieve World Health Organisation (WHO) accreditation for A’ali as a ‘healthy city’ with plans to build more schools, a central market and cycle paths.
A’ali, spread over an area of approximately 12sqkm, has a population of more than 55,000 and currently boasts six government schools, one university and more than three kindergartens and nurseries.
The GDN also reported that Mr Al A’ali had proposed the status of A’ali, which is the sixth constituency in the Northern Governorate, be upgraded as it had ‘all the attributes’ of being classified as a town in its own right.
The Northern Municipal Council last year unanimously approved four proposals to help A’ali achieve the WHO accreditation.
He is also convinced that creating a 1km-long cycle track parallel to the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway would encourage more people to take to two wheels in a safe environment, with clear health and environmental benefits.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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