His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa last month (January) reviewed the proposed masterplan to redevelop Awali City, a historic, garden city-style oil settlement in central Bahrain that served as the region’s first modern expatriate compound.

The plan covers commercial, office, and residential units, as well as green spaces, in addition to a pedestrian and sports pathway that links new and existing neighbourhoods, reported BNA. 

This comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to develop and modernise the various cities and villages of the kingdom while preserving their historical and cultural identity.

His Majesty was updated on the project by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bapco Energies.

His Majesty commended the efforts of Shaikh Nasser and the dedicated work led by him and the Board during its key phase of development.

Shaikh Nasser said the Awali masterplan focuses on three main principles: preserving the architectural identity and urban heritage of the city; redeveloping and modernising residential and commercial buildings and public facilities; and completing the development of lands located within the city as interconnected neighbourhoods through adaptive and complementary uses of existing buildings, said the BNA report.

He confirmed that the project’s vision ensures the creation of an integrated urban fabric that reflects the distinct character of Awali City and a contemporary lifestyle, as an extension of the city’s civilisational heritage since 1934.