Despite the high levels of the civilized world today of luxury and development, in light of an unprecedented communication and technology revolution; The United Nations figures indicate that 1.1 billion people live in inappropriate residential conditions, while the number of forcibly displaced people is about 221 million.
I present this information, which may be shocking to many, in preparation for talking about the International Hope Day, which the United Nations General Assembly decided in 1985 to be on Monday of the first week of October of each year as a date to celebrate it, with the aim of emphasizing the human need for adequate housing, and reminding the world of its collective responsibility in this.
In the midst of these heavy numbers that reflect the depth of the crisis globally, the Kingdom of Bahrain stands out as a unique model, because it put the citizen in the heart of its housing policies, and made from the “house” a symbol of stability and dignity before it was a wall and a ceiling.
Bahrain’s vision was evident by emphasizing that housing is an authentic human right, which is the vision that His Majesty has developed by the Great King, and it is implemented with follow -up by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, as it turned into a tangible reality that every citizen in cities and housing projects spread throughout the Kingdom.
The follower of what Bahrain has accomplished during the prosperous era knows that Bahrain has exceeded the stage of providing housing to the creation of an integrated urban environment industry, which takes into account the quality of life, and evokes the future in every detail, from smart infrastructure to sustainable urban design.
Because it starts from humanitarian keenness first and foremost, modern housing programs came to keep pace with the aspirations of citizens, and give them flexible options through soft financing, partnership initiatives with the private sector, and government land development projects that resulted in modern cities such as Salman, Khalifa, East Sitra, and others.
While many countries are racing to search for solutions to the worsening housing crises, Bahrain continues to develop its vision calmly and confidently, based on the principles of sustainable development, and achieved tangible progress towards the eleventh goal of the UN development goals; Make cities and human settlements comprehensive for all, safe, capable of steadfastness and sustainable.
Also, the projects of developing the city of Muharraq and the revival of Issa Kabir Palace, and the plan to redefine the historical area of the Manama Market, express deep awareness in the sense of “housing” as a cultural and cultural concept, not just shelter. It is a philosophy that sees urbanism as an extension of identity, and in preserving heritage, preserving national memory.
Celebrating the International Hope Day in Bahrain is an opportunity to remind ourselves that building the house is building a person himself, and that every stone is placed in a new wall is a step towards a more stable and fair society.
