The Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA) has introduced new infrastructure rules to enhance the real estate developments by streamlining the procedures.
The implementation was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB), and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
The aim of the new mechanism is to promote fairness and transparency by enhancing infrastructure oversight and execution, strengthening public-private partnerships, and supporting balanced urban development strategies in line with best practices.
Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Khayyat, CEO of the UPDA, stated that this mechanism falls in line with ongoing efforts to advance the real estate sector in support of Bahrain’s comprehensive development process under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and with the continuous support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Al Khayyat also highlighted the close oversight of Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects, in ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.
The approach requires property owner to provide infrastructure through contracts with certified engineering offices and contractors. It enables them to sell portions of their subdivided land to pay for infrastructure development, and submit to the government for supervision. The mechanism promotes the owner to freely trade the subdivided properties.
Landowners can apply for subdivision via Takhteet platform. If the land is located along the existing infrastructure, the landowners can proceed with subdivision that it ensures the internal infrastructure is in place. Before implementing this mechanism, authority held workshops with consultants, developers, and stakeholders to garner feedbacks to enhance the sector.
In addition to this, a procedural guide was designed by the Ministry of Works in coordination with the Urban Planning and Development Authority and other relevant bodies. The guide highlights the important steps for landowners to follow while implementing infrastructure. This comprises of necessary agreements and a list of approved contractors and consultants.
The UPDA is set to conduct workshops for those interested in the new mechanism. The details will be announced on their Instagram account @Bahrainupda.
