Bahrain construction sector gets 35 more classifications

TDT | Manama                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Housing and Urban planning yesterday announced the introduction of 35 more classifications in the construction sector aimed at boosting the urban and economic development in Bahrain.

The additions also bring the total number of such classifications to 79, which will be part of the National Strategic Structural Plan 2030. The move aims at meeting the future needs of the Kingdom in light of the growing urban and economic development in the Kingdom.

Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi, the Housing and Urban Planning Minister, announced this during a press conference yesterday in the presence of Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Khayat, the CEO of the Urban Planning and Development Authority.

The regulatory requirements are as per Resolution No. (56) for the year 2022 issued by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister. Bahrain was one of the first countries in the region to set construction regulations, laws and policies, the minister said.

In 1998, Bahrain established regulatory requirements for the reconstruction and development of building areas. The last update in 2009 saw commercial district development in Seef and the creation of parking standards.

The minister said they prepared the classifications after six-month consultations with all relevant sectors and workshops for more than 150 members from governmental and private sectors, associations, engineering offices and real estate developers.

In the updated version, the Regulatory Authority for Construction now has 400 articles and 35 classifications that would pave the way for further urban and economic development in the Kingdom. Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Khayyat said the ministry developed classifications considering future needs, bringing its total number to 79.

The top classification includes that for High-end residential villas that do not exceed 600 square meters, green public spaces or open public areas with low construction percentage, green building areas where buildings are allowed, hotels and resorts, restaurants and cafes, gas stations, private sector development projects to attract investors, and workers’ accommodations.

The ministry also created a ‘special’ classification for apartments to stop the double classification system of houses and apartments and preserve privacy. Community service areas now have another seven classifications: Sports, health, educational, religious, diplomatic, administrative/security, and social.

On the most notable changes in the construction sector, the ministry established provisions to regulate the number of residential units and allow their sale in a layered system. New regulations also encourage the development of new waterfronts and public beaches, economic preservation of green areas, and increasing the percentage of construction in the garden housing areas from 55% to 70% of the property area and 55% of the building area.

New rules calculate car parking areas based on leased building areas (GLA) instead of the net building areas and do away with random commercial street creation. New requirements also state that there is no need to create separate entrances for multiple uses if the building areas do not exceed 800 square meters.