Environmental and economic benefits anticipated in tandem with growth of Kingdom
The Ministry of Works (MOW) today launched new guidelines on reclamation levels and a Dredging and Land Reclamation Technical Manual for all dredging and land reclamation works in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Two hundred invited guests, including partners who work with the Ministry and media attended the launch event, which was held under the patronage of H.E Fahmi Bin Ali Al Jowder, the Minister of Works at the Bahrain Sheraton Hotel.
The overall aim is to proactively ensure protection against natural disasters and at the same time create environmental and economic benefits by detailing specific processes, procedures and guidelines for dredging, land reclamation and other associated activities in the Kingdom, says HE Nayef Omar Al-Kalali, Undersecretary of Public Works Affairs at the Ministry,
“Bahrain is in the dawn of a new era in urban development – in only 26 years the Kingdom’s surface area has grown by more than 11%. The Ministry has a key role in contributing to ongoing progress while at the same time caring for and striving to protect the environment,” said Mr Al-Kalali. “The guideline and manual we have launched today are part of a comprehensive undertaking where we investigated and redefined existing recommended reclamation levels within the Kingdom. These have been set and will contribute towards achieving environmental benefits as well as cost savings for contractors by eradicating unnecessary ‘over’ reclamation.”
The guideline, titled ‘Reclamation levels: Guidelines for coastal development lands and artificial islands’ is based on a study conducted by Dutch consultant, Delft Hydraulics. It determined required reclamation and crest levels with recommendations being based on calculations of extreme water levels which occur once every 100 years. The impacts of tides, storm surges, barometric pressure, wind and wave set up and run up, meteorological oscillation and climate change were also all factored into the equations.
The outcome of the study has also provided clearance levels for the expected rise in sea water due to global warming. This is set at 0.4 metres in 100 years and an additional safety clearance of 0.1 metre has also been included.
The manual is a one stop reference portal providing background information on key aspects of dredging and land reclamation projects from conception to completion. It has been produced with input by a Ministry commissioned consortium led by Dutch consultant, Deltares. The consortium included Delft Hydraulics, Anthony Bates Partnership Dredging and Coastal Consultants and Dredging Research Limited.
This consortium reviewed an earlier land reclamation guideline prepared by Sogreah Consultants in 2001. The earlier guideline examined past, current and planned reclamation works and provided design parameters and recommended reclamation levels. It also suggested possible borrow areas for sand as well as methods for dredging, reclamation and shore protection.
The review and update followed numerous investigations, statistical analyses and mathematical modelling and indicative wave crest level calculations which were conducted at five reclamation sites around the Kingdom. The amount of reclamation works and design parameters were then updated and imported into a Geographical Information System (GIS) and a resulting recommended reclamation level map of the Kingdom of Bahrain was produced.
“The Ministry of Works helps to shape the future by operating in cooperation with society and the community through partnerships, and this facilitates how we meet the needs and expectations of our diverse stakeholders. Many contributors who we consider to be our partners have contributed to making the guideline and manual a reality and we thank everyone who has been involved in this undertaking,” said Mr Al-Kalali.
“This includes the Environmental Assessment & Planning Directorate and the General Directorate for Protection of Marine Resources at the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife; the Survey & Land Registration Bureau; the Structural Planning Directorate and the Water Resources Directorate at the Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture Affairs; the Housing Projects Directorate at the Ministry of Housing, Arabian Gulf University and all consultants. We also thank those who worked on this project from the Ministry of Works’ Strategic Projects, Roads Planning & Design and Sanitary Engineering Planning & Projects Directorates as well as from our Central Planning Office.”
“The process of dredging and land reclamation encompasses many different disciplines and personnel who are charged with handling such developments need to have access to relevant and up-to-date literature that explains the processes involved. This will be achieved by the manual,” concluded Mr Al-Kalali.
About land reclamation in Bahrain
In 1981 the surface area of Bahrain was 665.3 square kilometers. In 2007 it was 741.40 square kilometers. This is an increase of 76.1 square kilometres in 26 years. This 11.4% expansion of the Kingdom has been from land which has been reclaimed from the sea, mainly for housing and industrial developments. The number of islands which make up the archipelago is dynamic and as of the end of 2007 the Kingdom of Bahrain comprised 196 islands (133 natural and 63 artificial). Bahrain still experiences a shortage of land for future housing, industrial and infrastructural development. The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain therefore developed a plan following an integrated approach to continue reclaiming land from the intertidal zone. Setting up guidelines for dredging and reclamation works is part of an integrated approach to prevent degradation of marine resources.
About the Ministry of Works
The Ministry of Works is a dynamic, leading professional organization that builds public infrastructure for the betterment of Bahrain. It is socially responsible and works to shape the future through partnerships. It is a high performance, project management based organization whose use of strategic management, best practice and innovative technologies make it a leader in its field and enable it to provide integral support to the Bahrain Government's 2030 vision.
