City of the future

Life is going to be a beach in Bahrain ... as plans for one the largest publicly accessible stretches of waterfront in the kingdom were unveiled as part of one of the biggest mixed-use residential urban developments ever undertaken by the private sector.

Diyar Al Muharraq was launched with a spectacular aerial viewing of the 12-square-kilometre site of the future city. The urban development's anticipated total investment value is BD1.2 billion ($3.2 billion) with Kuwait Finance House (KFH) as the major investor.

It is setting a benchmark in urban development in many ways, not least the physical scale and the expected number of planned properties standing at 30,000, which will house over 100,000 people on completion.

Diyar Al Muharraq's long-term strategy also includes a plan to support the Ministry of Housing's social housing programme.

Reports that it was a revision to an original master plan for the area have been dismissed by a project spokesman.

Situated on the northern shores of Muharraq, the development will be gradually released, with the first facilities ready for use in 2010.

The developer's vision is to create a unique city for the future, offering a choice of housing and a quality lifestyle for all.

The pricing structure at Diyar Al Muharraq, will offer an "unprecedented lifestyle" for people of all nationalities and incomes to enjoy although the actual price of properties has yet to be announced.

The master plan maps out a self-contained city with many accessible, landscaped public spaces, incorporating around 40 kilometres of waterfront which includes sandy beaches and a marina. This will be among the largest publicly accessible waterfront in the kingdom.

The development also includes numerous community spaces and facilities, abundant landscaping, a number of international five-star hotels and a large shopping mall with extensive parking, business district and light logistic and support area.

Aaref Hejres, chief executive officer of Diyar Al Muharraq, said: "Diyar Al Muharraq is signalling a new era and a proud future for Bahrain as it provides the stepping stones to meet all people's aspirations of property ownership.

It will embody the best of what people expect and deserve in both a home and a community.

"As a Bahraini company, run by Bahrainis, we wanted to contribute to our community. This is the first time that a private developer in Bahrain has invested in a development that includes various levels of housing as one of many options, all of which will share the same high standard of living and amenities.

"Our goal is to be part of a concerted housing strategy for the kingdom and we are actively working towards securing close links with the relevant government departments."

The development will provide huge employment opportunities for local people combined with significant potential for investment across a range of residential and commercial properties.

The city's comprehensive community services will include recreational, educational, medical and retail facilities, all supported by a high standard of infrastructure services.

The urban development has dedicated considerable resources to develop a comprehensive environmental initiative that includes a selection of strategies to support marine life, fishing reserves and professional fishermen in Bahrain.

This has been done in close cooperation with the environmental authorities.

Mr Hejres added: "Diyar Al Muharraq will set a benchmark for how new communities should be developed and how they should look. Our aim is to ensure that the city will fulfil its promise to offer a new way of living, one which is ahead of its time and unlike any other Bahrain has seen until now."