أرشيف الوسم: نظام

Kuwaiti newspapers announced the government’s intention to compulsory purchase “Jleeb Al Shuyoukh Neighbourhood”, in order to re-plan it as a single family housing area for Kuwaitis that are entitled for housing welfare.

Today, there are more than thirty thousand living at “Jleeb Al Shuyoukh”. The vast majority are made up of single male expatriates and low income workers. The government has shut its eyes to the area and allowed land owners to rent housing units to low income workers; the area has gradually become crowded and chaotic. This situation has been coupled with many negative phenomenon and crimes. The area is  a haven for illegal immigrants and fugitives, and it is now a major challenge to law enforcement.

This being said, in order to be able to build an objective opinion about the matter, we have to be aware that there is a defect in the demographic composition of the State of Kuwait, where the percentage of expatriates reached 70 % and male expats are 50% of the population. These are high and unnatural percentages.

It is known that the vast majority of expatriates are employed in low-wage jobs. In addition they struggle with labour laws and the injustice of the illegal residency merchants.

In addition, planning policies in Kuwait neglected this essential part of the population which resulted in serious challenges to find suitable housing. As in Kuwait, both single family neighbourhoods and high density investment housing refuse them. The places where medium income expatriates and families reside also do not accept them. Even the governmental attempts to establish labour cities in the past ten years have failed.

I am writing this article as I see the spirit of Kuwait is transforming. Especially under these difficult times, many voices began to blame the expatriates and their increasing of the problems of the country.

Yes, we are aware of the housing issue, as well as the suffering of Kuwaiti families due to increasing real estate prices and rents. In addition, to the extended and unreasonable periods of waiting for the provision of public housing. However, we have to realize that the expatriates are partners in the country; we have invited them to live with us, and surely we need their help. The fact that some expatriates are weak, lack representation, and our legal regulation does not allow them to express their voice, does not mean that we should neglect their rights or violate their dignity.

We need to understand that it’s not of our interest to shake the social peace that Kuwait is known for. Lately, there have been some angry voices against the expatriates. I recall a speech that was read by the late Amir of Kuwait Shaikh Jaber Al Sabah while his eyes were filled with tears, at the general assembly meeting of the United Nations on the 27^th of September 1990 during the invasion of Kuwait:

“We shall return to our Kuwait as we know it, a home of safety and security and a shaded genuine oasis where all the good people; Kuwaitis and their brothers and sisters who live among them find shelter, work together as one hand for good and building”

Do we accept, after that, to become a polar society, selective and radical, that seeks the welfare of some, while watching fellow neighbours struggle with a difficult life?

From a planning point of view, we should see that the problem of random illegal housing will not be solved simply by compulsory purchasing “Jleeb Al Shuyoukh” no matter how much budget we allocate for the task. This decision is just like a man who tries to hide dirt under the carpet, and by not seeing it, he thinks that it does not exist. Be assured that once we displace the workers from “Jleeb Al Shuyoukh” they will move to another area and re-establish the typology of “Jleeb” at another location.

I hope that we study the problem closely and develop a deeper understanding of its various dimensions. I fully trust that we are able to find many solutions that provide adequate housing for citizens and expatriates of all categories to preserve a diverse country where all people live in security and safety.

Planning policies shall be based on a vision, and this vision must first stem from humane and moral bases.

By the end of the summer season and the return of tourists to their homes, it makes one question the criterias that attract tourists from the GCC countries to certain destinations and the huge admiration that they express for certain touristic capitals.

Certainly, the joy that tourist find could be due to the enjoyment and break from their jobs and the daily routines; nevertheless, I believe that it goes well beyond that.

Touristic capitals possess special factors that allow them to reach that status. Some factors are natural due to their geographic location, which bless them with moderate weather which attracts those who seek a specific environment such as cooler temperatures or sunny beaches.

Also, the central location allows these cities to be easily accessible from around the world for crowds of travellers.

Moreover, history is crucial in determining the status of cities. Historical cities that are sites for major monuments and images that are planted in the memory of the public strengthen their touristic attractivity. Cairo, Rome, Athens, London, Paris, and other cities; are the capitals of the world. They are the locations of important events that took place and change the course of history. These sites have a unique spark which distinguishes them from other locations.

There is a cultural dimension which enhances the position of world tourist destinations. When world renowned artists paint certain sites they stick in the collective memory.

When poets and writers write about specific places, they prosper in the minds of readers, like the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris which is mentioned in the Hunchback of Notre-dame novel by Vector Hugo.

Similarly, when a city becomes the site of an important film, it also shines in the imagination of viewers like in the film The Sound of Music which was filmed in Salzburg and the surrounding area.

Yet, I would like to shed a light on other urban factors that contribute strongly to the enhancement of cities position as touristic destinations such as:

• – Safety and security which ensures the visitor of the authority of law and provides them with tranquillity.
• – Openness and a welcoming atmosphere that welcomes visitors and treats them well.
• – Social diversity that these capitals possess and their tolerance to various types of people, races, and of all orientations.
• – Among the visual factors are the order and hygiene that one experiences in public space. This order reflects the advanced nature of the city and enhance the sense of beauty in the surroundings.
• – The presence of historical and modern monuments, which carry deep meanings, enhance the status of these capitals and its touristic attractivity.

Alternatively, there are cities with many modern buildings that lack any meaning and only seek to express economic growth and the culture of conspicuous consumption. These large buildings add little to their cities.

– Cities that respect pedestrians provide safe, connected, and continuous pathways. Successful cities make those pedestrian corridors interesting and connected to various activities. Undoubtedly, one of the secrets of this fascination with London, Paris, Beirut, Istanbul and other world cities is this open  public space that is unavailable in our home cities. Where the tourist finds this realm he, his family, and his children could wander freely without the need to depend on the private vehicle,which is considered the main enemy to livelihood in cities.

• – Restaurants and Cafes which overlook pleasant views and are open toward satisfying main walkways and plazas, allows the seated person to enjoy gazing at the daily life of citizens and get a feel of a different lifestyle, enrich the city, and enhance its touristic position.

These are brief points that encourage us to think about the factors that contribute to the success of cities. It would be nice to have a chance to implement some on our home towns and cities.

Since the beginning of modern planning, Kuwait City and Al Murqab land allocation has been reviewed in the light of various master plans. The planner confirmed that Al Murqab land should maintain its residential land-use. It was envisioned that the land could accommodate more than 1200 housing units to serve Kuwait City and create the necessary mix that supports a vibrant city. Kuwait Municipality attempted to achieve this plan and designated the land to the Public Authority of Housing Welfare, however, the project failed to be realized.

Eventually, the latest master plan was approved through an Amiri Decree. This plan sought to accomplish the vision of His Highness the Prince of Kuwait to transform Kuwait into an international and regional business and financial centre. Based on this ambitious vision, the planner changed the land use of Murqab from residential to commercial and proposed to create an urban project that helps achieve Kuwait’s vision.

The Kuwait Municipality concluded the “Kuwait City 2030” Study in 2017, which proposed to designate the site for the creation of a prime financial district with mixed use development such as: a major transportation hub, conference centre, hotels, parks, residential and commercial towers, entertainment activities, and public amenities. It is hoped that the decision makers don’t take this project lightly; it is a vital project which will occupy the last virgin land in Kuwait City, and has the ability to transform it completely.  To achieve this transformation we need to prioritize quality over quantity. We should not be tempted to copy international urban models which seem to be successful but in reality suffer from various defects.

I hope that the project would be based on a comprehensive development vision that takes into consideration social and cultural dimensions beside economic aspects.

It is also crucial to change the traditional governmental method for tendering projects, which tenders every aspect of the project as a single package targeted at large investors. This might seem like the easiest path, but it has proven to be unsuccessful. This leads to a project either succeeding as a whole or failing completely!

On the other hand, if a high quality master plan is prepared which divides the project into smaller packages that are then tendered to small or medium investors,this would be more feasible; it would enhance the economy, create a healthy competitive atmosphere, and ensure high-quality and speedy execution.

Al Murqab Project is a valuable opportunity. It is hoped that it becomes a true development project which is creative, modern, yet inspired by traditional Kuwaiti Architecture and Urbanism.

From an urban planning point of view, the site should be divided into small to medium size blocks, planned with fine-grained urban fabric and avoids the creation of large isolated plots which have many negative urban impacts.

At this critical period, where resources are scarce and the world is rapidly changing, Al Murqab should be a unique urban project that is environmentally friendly and employs state-of-the-art sustainable technology and renewable energy.

The project should follow healthy urban trends which limits the dependency on private vehicles and provides various public transport alternatives. Equally important, is to ensure the creation of a connected, continuous, and comfortable pedestrian network.

I hope that decision makers realize the importance of this valuable land, give it the necessary thought that it deserves, and create a development model that distinguishes itself from previous mediocre projects. We wish to see Al Murqab become a sustainable, vibrant and outstanding center; not a mere real estate commercial venture.

إن القرارات التخطيطية لها آثار إجتماعية و إقتصادية مباشرة. كما أنها يجب أن تتخذ وفق رؤية تنموية شاملة و أن تتوافق مع قيم المجتمع و تطلعاته. و هنا أود أن أتطرق إلى مشروع المدن العمالية الذي يعتزم جهاز الشراكة مع القطاع الخاص طرحة، حيث يهدف إلى إنشاء مدن عمّالية توفر سكناً ملائماً و تساهم في حل مشكلة السكن العشوائي للعمالة و وجود تجمعات غير مرغوب فيها بالقرب من الضواحي السكنية المخصصة للعائلات !!

بداية يجب أن ندرك إن حالة سكن العمالة اليوم ليست المشكلة، و إنما أحد أعراض المشكلة التي يعاني منها مجتمعنا !! فالمخطط يجب أن يسعى إلى رفع جودة الحياة لكل من يسكن في الدولة، و لذا فإن الحل المقترح بأن يتم نقل العمالة للسكن في مواقع على أطراف المنطقة الحضرية لا يُعد حلّاً حضارياً، و سيزيد من الإنقسام القائم في الاستعمالات الحضرية. و لا يعدو كونه محاولة لكنس الأوساخ تحت السجادة! فإن إبعاد المشكلة عن العين لا يعني أنها غير موجودة.

إن المدن الناجحة تسعى إلى مزيد من توطين الإستعمالات المتنوعة و التي تجمع السكان من مختلف الشرائح و الطبقات الإجتماعية و الإقتصادية، لما في ذلك من آثار إيجابية إجتماعية و عملية.

إن أحد أهم عيوب المدن العمالية المعزولة هو خلق بؤر عمرانية متدهورة، أو ما يطلق عليه (جيتو)، و مواقع حيث يسكن الأشد فقراً في المجتمع، و هي معرضة أكثر من غيرها لتصبح مواقع للتوتر الأمني و مراكز للمُمارسات الإجرامية.

كما إن تحديد مواقع هذه المدن سيجعل منها معالم للبلد، و إذا اسيء تنفيذها ستصبح مادة إعلامية سلبية تعبر عن سوء معالمة العمالة الوافدة في الدولة، كما نشاهد بشكل دوري انتقادات المنظمات الحقوقية و وسائل الإعلام العالمية عن  وضع العمالة في دول الخليج.

و لذا نأمل أن تنطلق القرارات التخطيطية من رؤًى إنسانية و تنموية و حقوقية و تسعى لرفع جودة البيئة العمرانية في الكويت، و تعمل على معالجة المشاكل من جذورها و تضع حدّاً للعمالة السائبة و إنخفاض الأجور و تحمي حقوق العمّال و تسعى لتقليص الفوارق الطبقية بين الجميع و توفر سبل الحياة الكريمة لكل من يعيش على أرض الكويت، فهذه هي التنمية الحقيقية.