DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ, one of Bahrain’s largest mixed-use master-planned developments, recently organized an exploratory roundtable entitled “MENA 2050: Future Development Drivers in MENA” with the cooperation of Urban Land Institute (ULI), an international non-profit organization specialized in urban development and land use disciplines.
The roundtable was attended by an elite group of leaders from the public sector, as well as academics and other community leaders. Among the topics discussed at the event were the future vision and concepts of urban cities and the factors which have the most impact the lifestyles of those who inhabit them.
Mr. Aaref Hejres, CEO of DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ commented: “As a leading promoter of environmental awareness and sustainable development in the region, we believe that our role does not stop at merely raising awareness. Rather, we should facilitate the creation of collaborative viable solutions to these issues which profoundly impact society in general.”
Launched by ULI at the end of 2009, the MENA 2050 initiative will explore the impacts that key drivers have on urban investment and community development which include such issues as regional demographics, globalized capital markets, infrastructure, new technologies, social equity and human capital, energy production, natural resources, and climate change. This endeavor will seek to produce data and publish research highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced by land use professionals in regional cities with the aim of promoting best practices.
DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ, the partner for this initiative in Bahrain, had organized a special “Leadership Conversation” session with ULI last December under the patronage of H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Head of Trustees of Shaikh Ibrahim Center, which was headed by Mr. Mickael Horst, Senior Vice President of ULI. The session touched on four main topics: Leadership in the Responsible Use of Land, Leadership in Challenging Economic Times, Leadership in Your Community, and the MENA City in 2050 Initiative, which were discussed in more detail at yesterday’s session.
The initiative is part of a wider plan launched by DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ in collaboration with ULI to sponsor non-profit activities, school and educational programs for the development of all segments of society, including students, businessmen, and decision makers in the Kingdom and abroad. In addition, DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ agreed to financially support the distribution of ULI’s printed materials to a number of leading educational institutes and universities, as well as supporting various educational and awareness activities aimed at both the private and public sectors.
With 30,000 properties planned housing for over 120,000 people, DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ will offer 40 kilometers of waterfront. This will include walkways, sea-facing parks, sandy beaches and a marina with a pleasant waterfront promenade, making it one of the Kingdom’s most sought after destinations. It will offer a range of freehold properties accessible to buyers across various income levels, and its extensive and varied indoor and outdoor leisure, commercial and retail facilities underpinned by world-class infrastructure.
