Engineers, experts and real estate developers stressed the importance of preparing a guideline for reconstruction in urban heritage areas, which comes within the framework of implementing the high royal directive of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince. Covenant, Prime Minister, may God protect him, regarding preserving the historical and cultural identity of Bahrain’s buildings and cities.
They said in exclusive statements to Bahrain News Agency (BNA) that adhering to what was stated in this guideline will contribute to preserving the identity of the ancient areas, especially the Muharraq area, which reflects the richness of Bahraini civilization and its sustainability for future generations, in a way that achieves and ensures the existence of a civilized environment with historical depth that stimulates achieving returns. Economically speaking, the guide represents a specialized scientific reference that ensures the preservation of these areas with their details and ancient spirit.
Mr. Nasser Al-Ahli, a member of the Board of Directors of the Businessmen Association, and Chairman of the Real Estate Committee of the Bahrain Businessmen Association, stressed the responsibility of real estate agents to take into account what was stated in the guide provided by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning related to heritage sites, pointing out that there are important areas that cannot be disposed of and real estate trading in them in a proper manner. Free, especially since there are areas where the old landmarks of Al-Furjan have changed significantly, which makes it lose its privacy due to the depth of heritage and culture it contains.
He added: For 10 years or more, we have been facing problems in the State Property Valuation Committee. Heritage areas are considered a national wealth that cannot be valued in the usual manner, and their prices are not subject to market standards.
Al-Ahly suggested that these guidelines be circulated to the old Bab Al-Bahrain and Al-Furjan areas and not applied only to the Muharraq area, as heritage areas cannot be considered commercial land, as they are an invaluable national wealth, and stressed the importance of countries’ efforts to revive heritage areas.
He considered the existence of this guide to be a distinguished initiative that will contribute to changing the outlook of real estate developers and increasing their interest in heritage dimension and design. He concluded his statement by putting forward the idea of adopting and benefiting from the experiences of countries in preserving their ancient areas without obliterating their character and spirit, as the place has a story, history and identity.
For his part, Mr. Jaafar Al-Araibi, founder of Epsilon Consulting and Real Estate Services, explained that this guide is considered an advanced step by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to revive heritage areas and old neighborhoods. Such efforts will contribute to restoring life to these ancient sites, and will push residents to return to their areas, and will also create a good environment for these areas. Neighborhoods. These designs and guidelines contain a touch of modernity with a unique heritage reality, and will positively affect the visual dimension of the area, which will naturally affect the future of real estate in the region. The aesthetic view is considered a major attraction for any country, and the development of the geographical dimensions in Muharraq will serve as a viable model. For application in other areas.
Al-Araibi stressed the importance of heritage as an invaluable cultural and national value, especially as it stems from the importance of humanitarian and cultural work. The content of the guide aims to preserve the urban style and culture of the place. This official document, with its guidelines, standards and proposed designs, constitutes an added value to these areas, and also raises Real estate value.
He added that changing the applicable standards will create solutions to re-engineer the costs that may arise later. The new patterns of urbanization will produce tools to re-engineer designs in a workable manner that is compatible with the country’s authentic cultural component. It will create an aesthetic landscape and constitute an important attraction factor for the region. It will also increase harmony and dynamism. The harmony of urbanization contributes to increasing the aesthetics of the landscape.
In the same context, Mr. Ali Al-Ghasra, head of the business sector at Carlton Properties, said that the initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to issue this guide will contribute to creating an accurate description of the future of urbanization, as it is a guide that includes roads, archaeological sites, gardens and other details, and is considered an important and reliable reference that can be circulated to the rest of the world. areas, and offers beautiful proposals to everyone interested in the field of architecture and old houses, and to any connoisseur of this heritage urban and engineering form that combines modernity and authenticity together.
Al-Ghasra stated that this guide did not ignore landscaping areas, design treatments, and ways to hide facilities, air conditioners, and meters. It presents visions that guarantee visual harmony between modern and heritage buildings, something that was not addressed in the past. He hoped that there would be mandatory steps as is done in new cities. And not to deviate from the nature of the general design, as the guide contains detailed designs, and any reader can benefit from it, whether he is a technician, engineer, or interested person.
In turn, Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Eid, General Manager of Bin Eid Towers Real Estate, said that the guideline for reconstruction in urban heritage areas provides a set of design controls for reconstruction, building facades, infrastructure, and other construction details that preserve the cultural and heritage dimension of the region.
He explained that the concepts being prepared related to preserving the cultural identity in Muharraq could also be applied to the Manama region, where there is unique heritage, authenticity, and depth.
He stressed that the process of developing the areas in this way that preserves the privacy of traditional Bahraini designs will increase the destinations of tourists, as preserving the old is the secret of excellence and success, and there are international models that have applied this idea and succeeded in attracting people to them. He pointed out that adherence to these requirements may be costly, and he hoped The matter must be supported by what achieves economic recovery.
In addition, Mr. Alaa Al-Bahrani, a member of the Board of Directors of Taiba Real Estate Company, explained that this guide represents an advanced vision for a comprehensive urban plan for ancient heritage sites. It does not only provide proposals related to the shape of the buildings, but rather contributes to preserving the character and privacy of the place. He said that the result will be the creation of new areas. A distinct geography with its urban style, which contributes to strengthening the economic and investment reality.
Al-Bahrani added that the guide represents a plan that integrates the rules of building aesthetics, traffic flow and green spaces. It provides a comprehensive approach and specifications that contribute to achieving urban development while preserving the historical form of Muharraq as a prototype of a project that can be generalized.
He stated that the implementation of this plan in other places will enhance the city’s ability to increase its attractiveness and create an attractive environment for the desires of residents and visitors alike. Any real estate developer will view this guide as a guide that provides guidelines for future projects that contribute to aligning projects in a way that achieves public attractiveness and distinguishes the city’s general landscape. .
Mr. Muhammad Fateel, owner of the Janabiya Gate Real Estate Office, confirmed that the guideline for reconstruction in urban heritage areas was distinguished by its integrity, clarity, and attention to the smallest details, and that it will play an important role in setting general strategies for real estate developers to begin work on developing projects in urban heritage areas.
Fateel expressed his admiration for the guide’s attention to the smallest engineering and architectural details, describing it as comprehensive and integrated in terms of its interest in construction controls, design and infrastructure in addition to landscaping areas. He concluded his statement by emphasizing that this distinguished guide will serve as the basic building block to which all those interested in real estate and heritage, including developers, can refer. Real estate agents, engineering offices, and citizens.
In turn, Mr. Jassim Mohammed, Chairman of Dar Al Sultan Real Estate Company, said that the project to preserve the Bahraini urban heritage, which was launched from the city of Muharraq, has a multi-dimensional importance represented in its historical, cultural, scientific, social, economic, artistic and aesthetic importance.
He expressed his hope that the project would be circulated to various regions of the Kingdom, and said that interest in urban heritage enhances the identity and social continuity of the individual and society, and also contributes to strengthening social cohesion and establishing cultural patriotism.
Jassim added that the guideline is considered a necessary guide for implementing the plan to care for and pay attention to the national urban heritage, and this calls us to think from an investment perspective through the tourism portal, as it is an important tributary in supporting the national economy.
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