Muharraq wins hearts

Bahrain’s ‘Revitalisation of Muharraq project’ yesterday won the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which celebrates the projects that respond particularly to their context and the cultural needs of the inhabitants Bangladesh (Arcadia Education Project, in South Kanarchor), Palestine (Palestinian Museum, in Birzeit), Russia (Public Spaces Development Programme, in Kazan, the Republic of Tatarstan), Senegal (Alioune Diop University Teaching and Research Unit, in Bambey) and the United Arab Emirates (Wasit Wetland Centre, in Sharjah) are the other winners.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is given every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation and landscape architecture. The winners of the yearly honour will share US$ 1 million between them, which recognises all parties involved in the conception, design, and realization of a built project.

The award, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister said, reflects Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’s (BACA) relentless efforts in preserving Bahrain’s historical heritage and marks another successful achievement under the Kingdom’s comprehensive development, led by HM the King.

During a meeting with Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), HRH CP highlighted the Kingdom’s rich authentic cultural heritage, commenting how its legacy and inspirational role contributes so importantly to the cultural development of Bahrain. HRH the Crown Prince praised the efforts of Sheikh Mai which led to Bahrain receiving winning the award. The Revitalisation of Muharraq, which highlights the World Heritage site’s pearling history, was the first initiated as a series of restoration and reuse projects.

“The project evolved into a comprehensive programme that aimed at rebalancing the city’s demographic makeup by creating public spaces, community and cultural venues and improving the overall environment,” the jury said in a statement. S h e i k h a Mai said the achievements reflect the generous support of the wise leadership of Bahrain, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa “Yesterday, it was the capital of Islamic Culture.

Today, it has achieved a new cultural banner,” she said. The success also reflects the continuous work and close cooperation between the civil institutions represented by Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research and the official governmental institutions represented by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, she added. The work of reviving the cultural and urban heritage of Muharraq is ongoing with the support of the private sector.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all new planning applications are reviewed by the project team to ensure further developments are in line with the scheme’s overarching objectives. Founded in 1977 by Aga Khan IV, the award aims specifically to highlight projects of relevance or significance to primarily Islamic societies.