NationalStrategic Plan

01

Create a National Plan

The National Plan is an overarching strategy through which informed national planning efforts can build a bright future for Bahrain. The National Plan is designed to redefine Bahrain as an ever-expanding island by balancing various economic and social needs along with infrastructure. The National Plan reconciles conflicting land-use plans under the supervision of a central governmental entity.

02

Creating a Specialized Economy in Global Markets

The development of the global economy over the coming decades is expected to provide Bahrain with many opportunities to improve trade exchange and workforce productivity and create more profitable jobs opportunities and new business wealth. Bahrain's transition to real, highly productive market economies will positively affect various sectors, such as finance, tourism and specialized industries.

By transitioning to economic diversification in 2030, Bahrain will be able to triple GDP and double the current employment rates. Under the National Plan, new hubs for creativity and innovation will be created, such as the Sitra Technological City and the new industrial communities in Muharraq.

03

Environmental Conservation

The Bahraini public has a strong awareness of environmental conservation with a solid understanding that any form of development must not curtail environmental resource preservation, whether land or marine. The National Plan recognizes the need to find a balance between development and environmental conservation; it provides guidelines to stimulate economic growth and urban development, whilst simultaneously protecting and regenerating natural environments in the Kingdom.

04

Developing a Coherent and Diverse Transportation and Communications Strategy

Inadequate transportation options exacerbate traffic problems by causing delays and overcrowding. Furthermore, the current proposed development strategy will place an additional burden on the transportation network. It is, therefore, vital to have a multimodal transportation network that ensures safe, comfortable and efficient mobility as part of an integrated transportation system. This will improve efficiency, which will, in turn, increase foreign investment in Bahrain significantly.

A dedicated bus and train system along with marine transportation will support Bahrain's sustainable development and strengthen Manama's role as a vital hub in the region. A complete transportation strategy must include special programmes aimed at diversifying transportation.

05

Fulfilling Housing Needs

One of the most important strategies under the National Plan is to create safe, vibrant living and work environments for future generations. The National Plan calls for the creation of convergent and multi-use communities that reduce urban sprawl, contribute to optimal land use and preserve prominent historical sites and the traditional Bahraini way of life. The plan also calls for establishing a harmonious co-existence between new development projects and neighbouring communities.

One of the core objectives of the National Plan is to create green and socially-dynamic communities. This will be accomplished by developing Manama to become the vibrant heart of the Kingdom and by building communities through innovative projects like the New Salmabad Project, Salman Town and the Green Belt in Manama. The plan also encourages the natural growth of existing communities.

06

Identification of Public Waterfronts

Thanks to its multiple waterfronts, Bahrain maintains a special relationship with the sea. However, land reclamation over the last century has changed the nature of some areas of unique environmental value and established private maritime boundaries. The National Plan proposes the establishment of permanent boundaries that identify and protect existing waterfronts. The plan also calls for the creation of new seafronts and islands and the establishment of a public waterfront in Juffair and on the coastal road.

07

Protecting Bahrain's Cultural and Archaeological Heritage

Bahrain's 5,000-year-old heritage is rich in archaeological, cultural and architectural sites. Collectively, they embody a historical heritage of immeasurable national value. The National Plan seeks to preserve, protect and manage this historical heritage and encourages public awareness about the inherent value of this historical heritage.

The plan further urges the creation of a list of historical sites, which will then be studied and classified within a legal framework for the purpose of protection and preservation.

08

Fulfilling Future Military Requirements

The National Plan ensures that land-use strategies for military purposes are comprehensive and consistent. The National Plan also calls for the establishment of a military requirements knowledgebase to ensure that land is allocated appropriately.

09

Afforestation

As Bahrain used to be known as “the country of one million palm trees,” the National Plan now seeks to revive this historical narrative by creating natural, liveable environments throughout the Kingdom.

The plan calls for the protection of two-thirds of Bahrain's agricultural land, whilst allocating the remaining third for development. Areas designated for agriculture will be rehabilitated and repurposed for innovative agricultural programmes or for the creation of new public parks.

10

Promoting a Promising Future at a Steady Pace

The success of the National Plan depends on achieving its main objective, which is to establish a bright and sustainable future. Based on this objective, the plan calls for:

• Designing a strategic framework for sustainable development based on three pillars: economic, social and environmental.
• Formulating public policies in a way that enables Bahrain to meet its obligations in accordance with global environmental standards.
• Incorporating sustainable development as an essential component of all national public policies and formulating strong development policies that can influence public behaviour in government, companies, projects and individuals.