Government authorities have been urged to allocate specific zones for workshops, warehouses and garages, with councillors claiming that mushrooming of industrial facilities in residential areas have resulted in a chaotic environment.
The Muharraq Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal that aims to organise industries, reduce unregulated land use, reshape urban planning and preserve residential integrity.
It was spearheaded by council vice-chairman Saleh Buhazaa, who described the current situation as ‘unsustainable and damaging to both the community and Bahrain’s development ambitions’.
“What we are witnessing today in many parts of Muharraq is an alarming mix of residential buildings and industrial facilities cramped into the same spaces,” said Mr Buhazaa.
“We have garages operating beneath apartment blocks, workshops taking over empty plots and warehouses with no proper licensing in residential zones.
“This chaos is not just an eyesore – it’s a public safety concern and a failure in planning that we must urgently correct.”
Council members noted that residents in many neighbourhoods have long complained about unregulated garages and warehouses, which bring noise, pollution and heavy traffic to what are supposed to be peaceful residential areas.
“We receive constant complaints from families who are living next to welding workshops or auto garages that operate around the clock,” said Mr Buhazaa.
“This isn’t just inconvenient, it disrupts the quality of life and is even dangerous in some cases. We are not against economic activity, but it must be placed at the right location.”
The council stressed that government-owned land in non-residential zones should be utilised to host such facilities. They argue that doing so would improve safety, increase the efficiency of land usage and stimulate organised industrial growth.
“Random land use is a threat to our social fabric and our environmental health,” Mr Buhazaa added.
“We need government plots to be used strategically, not haphazardly. If we act now, we can avoid the mistakes that other growing cities have made and ensure that Bahrain remains a model for urban organisation.
“There is no shortage of land in Bahrain. What we lack is the will to put these lands to optimal use.
“This initiative is about unlocking the full potential of our public assets in a way that benefits both citizens and the national economy.”
The council has called for co-ordination between key government entities, including the Works, Industry and Commerce, Housing and Urban Planning, and the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministries to establish designated zones tailored for light industrial activity.
The goal is to ensure that Bahrain’s ongoing industrial growth is balanced with well-planned, liveable urban environments, the proposal said.
“This is not just about relocation; it’s about national vision,” explained council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar.
“We need a structured approach that defines where different types of economic activities should take place, where people live, where businesses operate and where workshops and garages are permitted. It’s about laying the foundation for sustainable and responsible development.”
The Muharraq Municipal Council has forwarded the proposal to other municipal bodies, including the Capital Trustees Board, the Southern Municipal Council and the Northern Municipal Council, in hopes of creating a unified national policy.
“This isn’t a Muharraq-only issue,” said Mr Al Naar.
“We are facing the same disorder in urban planning across the country. It’s time to develop a comprehensive zoning blueprint that includes clear categories: residential, commercial, light industrial, and public service zones.
“We’re willing to lead that conversation and work hand-in-hand with our counterparts across Bahrain.”
The council has also expressed its readiness to collaborate with urban planning experts and government consultants to design viable masterplans that reflect Bahrain’s Vision 2030 goals and international best practices.
“With this initiative, the Muharraq Municipal Council is positioning itself at the forefront of urban planning reform in Bahrain. It marks a shift from reactive municipal governance to proactive, long-term strategic planning,” said Mr Al Naar.
“We owe it to the next generation to hand them a well-planned, functional and liveable country.
“The time for piecemeal solutions is over. We are calling for a comprehensive rethink of how Bahrain uses its land, and we believe the public, the government, and future investors will benefit.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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