Old neighbourhoods in Al Sharqiyah North to get face lift

IBRA: The Al Sharqiyah North Governorate is renovating old neighbourhoods to preserve heritage and transform them into sustainable tourist destinations through a partnership between government agencies and the community.
Mahmoud bin Yahya al Thuhli, Governor of Al Sharqiyah North, said that the partnership represents the main pillar for the success of the old neighbourhoods renovation. He explained that the role of the people is important in preserving buildings, encouraging the restoration of private properties, providing narratives and stories related to the place and allowing platforms for crafts people.
He said that the local community is no longer just a beneficiary, but has become a partner in investment, through the contribution of small and medium enterprises, productive families and youth initiatives.
The governorate’s approach goes beyond the traditional idea of restoring old neighbourhoods to reviving them as heritage and economic assets, through preparing development plans that contribute to improving lighting, paving, and afforestation services, providing service facilities, and opening the way for local investment in tourism, cultural, craft and commercial projects that are compatible with the identity of the place.
Shaima bint Nasser al Rasbi, Director of the Services Development Department at the Al Sharqiyah North Governor's Office, said among these projects are the establishment of a market for crafts people and an incubator for heritage innovation in the Al Aqir, Sinaw, Al Manzafa and Al Qanater neighbourhoods, the renovation of traditional souq such as Al Mudhaireb, Al Musaylah and Al Wasel, as well as the development of tourist routes and parks located in the neighbourhoods.

She added that the governorate is also moving towards forming a local investment company to manage the old neighbourhoods, in addition to strengthening partnerships with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada).
She pointed out that community engagement was one of the most important factors in the success of the neighbourhood development projects, as the initiatives began by holding introductory meetings with the residents, and forming working groups and neighbourhood representatives to work alongside government agencies, in order to enhance community participation in planning and implementation.
Zahran bin Salem Al Rashidi, representative of Al Aqir neighbourhood in the Wilayat of Sinaw, said revival of these neighbourhoods will not be limited to restoring buildings, but will include revitalising craft industries, encouraging cultural tourism and providing a suitable environment for creative projects such as heritage cafes, exhibitions, shops specialising in local products, traditional craft workshops, in addition to projects that offer innovative tourism experiences.
Hamdan bin Rashid al Maliki, representative of the neighbourhoods of Wadi Bani Khalid, said: “The ongoing efforts reflect the role of the residents in promoting the values of social responsibility and preserving heritage assets as part of the national identity, as well as their role in attracting visitors to these areas, especially during the summer holidays, to enjoy the natural features and learn about the cultural heritage.” — ONA