Latest news with #urbanplanning
Al Bawaba
8 hours ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
A Reflection of Deepening Collaboration: Omani Minister of Housing Conducts Official Visit to Diyar Al Muharraq
Diyar Al Muharraq, the largest urban development company in the Kingdom of Bahrain, had the honor of welcoming His Excellency Dr. Khalfan bin Saeed Al-Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning of the Sultanate of Oman, along with his esteemed delegation, on an official visit aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and exploring best practices within the real estate development sector. His Excellency was received by Mr. Abdulhakeem Yaqoob Al Khayyat, Chairman of Diyar Al Muharraq, and Eng. Ahmed Ali Alammadi, Chief Executive Officer of the visit commenced with a tour of Souq Al Baraha, a traditional-modern marketplace capturing the essence of Bahraini culture while offering a vibrant retail experience that blends heritage, commerce, and community. The delegation also viewed the show villa at Deerat Al Oyoun — one of Diyar Al Muharraq's key residential developments dedicated to Bahraini citizens. The project is characterized by its functional design and integrated environment that caters to the needs of Bahraini families within a stable and urban was followed by a visit to the show villa at Al Naseem, a high-end residential and retail waterfront development. The delegation was briefed on the project's refined architectural design and high-quality construction standards. The tour also encompassed Al Naseem Social Hub, featuring a range of recreational and social amenities with a focus on providing enriching community interaction and their tour, the delegation explored the show villa at Al Bareh, one of Diyar's most exclusive residential communities, characterized by serene waterfront views and contemporary design that combines privacy with tranquility. The visit concluded at Marassi Galleria, the flagship retail and leisure destination hosting a curated selection of global brands, dining outlets, and entertainment facilities, positioning it as a major attraction at the heart of Diyar Al visit served as a significant platform for meaningful dialogue and mutual learning, during which the Chairman of Diyar Al Muharraq presented a comprehensive overview of the city's strategic vision. The presentation highlighted the key principles that shape Diyar as a model of sustainable urban development, and detailed the advanced approaches adopted in planning and executing integrated residential and commercial projects supported by smart infrastructure that enhances the quality of life in an inclusive urban return, the Omani delegation shared insightful perspectives and pioneering experiences from the Sultanate in the areas of housing and urban planning. These exchanges fostered a rich and productive dialogue focused on sharing best practices and innovative development models, underscoring the shared commitment to collaboration and the pursuit of common development goals. The visit further emphasized the strong ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. His Excellency also shared details on a number of vital and strategic projects currently underway in Oman that reflect the Sultanate's forward-looking vision for urban development. Among these was the notable Sultan Haitham City project, a leading regional initiative distinguished by its integrated urban planning, modern infrastructure, and sustainable approach.
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong private firms walking in the right direction
Connectivity can mean many things for a city. Often, a focus on technology and transport can overlook a very human need for people to get around easily on two feet in urban settings. So, Hong Kong authorities deserve credit for an incentive programme encouraging private firms to build pedestrian links to help make the city a better place to live. The initiative has earmarked 10 pedestrian footbridges and underpasses to improve walkability in bustling, densely populated areas including Kowloon East, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai. Two projects are set to open next year. Participating companies are offered waivers on land premiums, the government fees developers must pay to modify land use when the change boosts property value. Revenue from land premiums is a significant source of government income, so the step was not one to take lightly. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho wrote in her blog on May 25 that the government was effectively 'leveraging market forces' by collaborating with the private sector to foster a 'more convenient, connected and high-quality walking environment'. Launched in 2016, the connectivity initiative's most recently completed project was the Two Queensway Bridge in Admiralty. It opened in late April to connect Pacific Place, Harcourt Garden, Admiralty MTR station, government headquarters and commercial buildings. Causeway Bay will see a project take shape in phases next year, with five footbridges and a sheltered path to divert pedestrians from the busy Yun Ping Road, Hysan Avenue, Pennington Street and Leighton Road. Another footbridge will open in mid-2026 in Kowloon Bay. A footbridge project will also commence next year to link two towers in the Kwun Tong district. Urban planners in many communities around the world have been criticised for prioritising traffic flows over walkability. Even cities with massive traffic problems, such as Manila, are introducing pedestrian areas that offer a place to escape chaos below. For decades, authorities in Hong Kong have been urged to think further ahead about ensuring pedestrians can move comfortably in high-density zones. The new initiative is a sign that positive change is afoot. Advertisement
Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
RTA Announces Integrated Urban Project to Upgrade Umm Suqeim Street from its Intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road
In line with the directives of the leadership to accelerate the development of road infrastructure and expand traffic capacity across Dubai, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announces an integrated urban project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road. The project is designed to enhance traffic flow in support of the emirate's comprehensive development, address the demands of urban expansion and population growth, and to improve the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors. It complements works currently underway to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, ultimately enabling uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a total distance of 20 kilometres. The project goes beyond traditional road widening and development by integrating creative and aesthetic enhancements into the surrounding urban landscape. It features upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and complete streets (boulevards), alongside vibrant urban spaces designed to foster community interaction and create inclusive, dynamic environments. It also establishes a direct link between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities through targeted improvements that ensure smooth, integrated, and seamless access between these areas and the metro. The project forms part of a master plan developed by RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, including enhancements to Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street , and Al Safa Street, details of which will be announced in due course. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, stated: 'The upgrade of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, forms part of a master plan to develop the Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor. This strategic route extends from its intersections with Jumeirah Street throughout to its intersections with Emirates Road to Al Qudra Road, serving key residential and development zones with a combined population exceeding two million.' 'The project enhances connectivity across four strategic transport corridors in Dubai—Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will increase Umm Suqeim Street's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly improve traffic flow, and reduce travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six. The upgraded corridor will directly serve vital residential and development areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz; home to more than two million residents.' Development of Six Key Intersections His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer noted: 'The project entails the upgrade of six key intersections along Umm Suqeim Street, specifically those with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. The scope includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, with a total combined length of 4,100 metres.' 'At the intersection with Jumeirah Street, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction will be constructed, complemented by a signalised surface-level junction. A second tunnel, comprising two lanes, will be constructed at the intersection with Al Wasl Street to facilitate traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Jumeirah Street, while maintaining uninterrupted surface traffic in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road.' 'At its intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road, two bridges will be constructed to eliminate traffic overlap and enhance movement efficiency. A tunnel will also be developed at the intersection with First Al Khail Street to accommodate traffic coming from Al Barsha towards Sheikh Zayed Road, along with associated surface-level improvements.' 'Additional enhancements include widening the stretch between First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street by adding one lane in each direction, increasing capacity to four lanes per direction. At Al Khail Road, the works involve the construction and widening of two flyovers—one connecting Al Khail Road with Al Quoz Industrial Area, and the other facilitating traffic from Umm Suqeim Street to Al Khail Road heading towards Deira.' Phased Construction Underway RTA is currently advancing works on a 4.6-kilometre section of Umm Suqeim Street, stretching from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This phase includes the redevelopment of the intersection at Al Barsha South, near Kings' School, through the construction of an 800-metre tunnel comprising four lanes in each direction, along with a signalised surface-level intersection. Works have surpassed 70% completion, with the opening scheduled for the third quarter of this year. Concurrently, RTA has initiated a separate project to upgrade key intersections along Al Qudra Road. This segment extends from the junction with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and up to Emirates Road. The scope includes the construction of bridges totalling 2,700 metres in length, as well as the development and widening of 11.6 kilometres of the existing road. Once complete, this phase will significantly boost the overall capacity of Al Qudra Road and reduce travel time from 9.4 minutes to just 2.8 minutes. Upgrading Al Qudra Road Intersections The project also includes upgrading the intersection between Al Qudra Road and the street connecting Arabian Ranches with Dubai Studio City, through the construction of a 600-metre bridge on Al Qudra Road comprising four lanes in each direction. This bridge will improve traffic flow along both Al Qudra Road and the street connecting between Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City. Additionally, the intersection with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street will be upgraded through the construction of a 700-metre bridge with seven lanes in both directions. The scope also includes the construction of auxiliary ramps, with two lanes each, to enable smooth directional transitions without impacting main traffic flow. The works further involve the construction of a 500-metre bridge to facilitate traffic movement from Al Qudra Road towards Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street in the direction of Jebel Ali, along with a 900-metre bridge to serve traffic heading towards the city centre and Dubai International Airport. To support accessibility to surrounding developments, the project includes the construction of 3 kilometres of service roads along both sides of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. The project also includes the development of the extension of Al Qudra Road from its intersection with Emirates Road up to the roundabout serving several development zones, through increasing the number of lanes in both directions along this stretch. The aim is to enhance traffic flow and improve the overall capacity of this vital corridor in the Developers Area. In a subsequent phase, RTA will develop a new road within the southern section of the development zone, linking it to Emirates Road. This will enhance ingress and egress to and from neighbouring developments, in addition to increasing the number of lanes on both sides of Emirates Road to strengthen connectivity with adjacent projects. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayoral challenger says city needs to plan, not react
For Ron Beattie, running for Frederick mayor is about planning ahead, especially during what he described as a current 'inflection point' in the city's history. Beattie is running as a Democrat, challenging incumbent Democratic Mayor Michael O'Connor, who is seeking a third four-year term. Beattie is a consultant on alternative energy. 'I don't think we've been planning. We react,' said Beattie, a former planning commissioner of five years, who resigned before his term ended in July to run for mayor. Whether its large projects like the West Side Regional Park or city fees designed to fund affordable housing projects, Beattie said the city needs to get ahead of major developments. 'The best example of that, I think, would be Brickworks,' he said. The 64-acre property was vacant for over a decade, but in recent years, plans to develop it with housing and commercial businesses have been submitted. Although the property received approval for a master plan of development in 2023, the project is still being reviewed by the Frederick Planning Commission. 'We should have had a plan for Brickworks 10 years before somebody actually came in with a proposal for it,' he said. 'We should have been seeking those people out.' Similarly, Beattie said, the city should have proactively worked to find a space for a West Side community center. The city is set to hire someone to start the design phase of the community center this year, though the then-Board of Aldermen originally put funds toward it in 2023. Beattie said the city could have explored using the old Frederick Towne Mall on West Patrick Street as a city building to house the community center, saving on construction costs. Beattie said he wants to streamline the planning process, especially for developers constructing affordable housing, or as he described it, 'attainable' housing. He wants to develop a prioritization system, which he said could cut years off the planning process for affordable housing. 'If a developer comes and says, 'I want to put a 100% affordable housing project in Frederick,' they go to the front of the line,' Beattie said. 'You cut two to three years out of their development process, and then it cuts their cost so that they can build something that's affordable.' He said the city's planning department should report directly to the mayor, rather than the current system, in which the deputy director of planning is under the director of public works. 'Do we think so little of planning that we're going to bury it in some bureaucracy?' he asked. Currently, the city requires that all new housing developments include a certain percentage of affordable housing. However, developers may pay a fee in lieu of following through with this requirement. 'In terms of affordability and attainable housing, we have to stop de-incentivizing things,' Beattie said of the option for developers to pay the fee. City code mandates the money raised by the fund be put toward an affordable housing fund. However, the council did not have an immediate plan of what to do with the funds raised by the fee, Beattie said. 'That's government malpractice 101,' he said. Similarly, the city collects a fee to issue rental licenses for landlords. None of that money had yet been spent as of early May, city spokesperson Allen Etzler said. The ordinance also mandates that city code officials inspect rental housing units according to the city's health and safety standards. The council passed the ordinance requiring the license fee in 2022. Of 802 initial random inspections the city conducted in 2024, around 280, or 35%, resulted in a violation, according to a report provided to a City Council committee in February. Just two violations were found that resulted in tenants being forced to temporarily relocate, and both instances were caused by the tenant, Code Enforcement Manager Brittany Parks said in February. 'So why did we take all this money out of the economy to fix a problem that doesn't exist?' Beattie asked. Beattie also raised issues with the city's Department of Housing and Human Services. 'HHS is a great example of what we don't know about, what's going on in city government,' he said. 'It's opaque.' He described the director position in the department as a 'revolving door.' The city recently hired former state of Maryland official Stuart Campbell to take over the role, which was held by Ramenta Cottrell from 2020 to 2024. He said the department must work on more permanent solutions to aid those who living paycheck-to-paycheck. 'We feed people and we give people an occasional bed, but what are the programs of bringing people out of the situation that they're in and becoming more productive members of society?' he asked. 'I don't see us doing that.' He described the impending effects of federal funding cuts under the administration of President Donald Trump as 'dark clouds.' He said the city should look to partner more closely with the state to help work through the effects of federal funding cuts. 'Fortunately, we have a very good governor, who, I think, has been doing an outstanding job dealing with the cuts that have already been made,' Beattie said. 'And I think partnering with the state, especially a state that has a strong governor, is going to help us.' The city's primary election is set for Sept. 9. The general election is set for Nov. 4. No other candidates had filed to run for mayor as of Thursday. The filing deadline is July 1.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Plans for over 800 apartments on banks of the River Lee refused planning permission
Plans for a massive development of over 800 new homes in Cork city docks including a 35-storey apartment block have been refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanála. The board rejected an application by Tiznow Property Company Limited to construct 823 apartments on a 4.86 hectare site along the Marina and Central Park Road on the banks of the River Lee in Cork. Advertisement The company is part of the well-known Comer property development group headed by billionaire brothers, Luke and Brian Comer. The proposed development involved the demolition of buildings on the site of the former Tedcastles Yard and the construction of six apartment blocks ranging from one to 35 storeys in height. The plans also incorporated commercial uses for each of the buildings including three cafés/restaurants, two pubs, seven retail units and a convenience store with an off-licence. Other facilities included a library, medical centre, pharmacy, post office and dentist as well as two creches. Advertisement Tiznow claimed the development would 'create a vibrant city quarter that will support the growth of Cork City as a competitive European city.' However, An Bord Pleanála has now refused planning permission for the multi-million euro project on the grounds that the proposed development would be 'visually obtrusive' from a wide range of viewpoints in the city. 'The design of the tower element and the scale of riverfront development in combination with poor design in terms of facade treatment and architectural expression would seriously detract from the visual amenities and character of the area,' the board said. It claimed the development would be seriously injurious to the visual amenities of the area and claimed the plans represented an inadequate design response 'to the context and opportunity of this site.' Advertisement The board also rejected the plans on the basis that part of the site was zoned for educational use under the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028. It noted that one apartment block was due to be located on the part of the site earmarked for schools or other educational facilities. The board said the plans consequently represented a material contravention of land use zoning policy in Cork city which would 'prejudice the future provision of educational facilities within the Cork Docklands area.' Ireland Homeless figures hit 'shocking' all-time high of m... Read More The planning application had been made under the process for strategic housing developments which meant the applicant was not required to first obtain approval for the project from Cork City Council. Advertisement However, the council's chief executive also recommended that planning permission should be refused for the project on the basis that it would be 'visually obtrusive' and represented a poor design for a prime waterfront site on the Docklands. Council planners observed that there was no provision for active recreational infrastructure to meet the needs of around 2,000 residents apart from a child's play area, while the residential density was not compliant with the city development plan. They also remarked that the 35-storey building was not considered 'to be of acceptable architectural quality.'
