I HOPE His Highness the Prime Minister and the relevant ministers visit the capital during the night to witness the desolation that takes over the city, and then compare it with other capital cities that are bustling with life both day and night. Major cities, particularly capital cities, reflect the vibrancy of a country. While the morning traffic jams at the entrances to Kuwait City give the impression of a bustling city, the reality is quite different. Once official working hours end, especially for ministries and institutions, the traffic clears, and by evening, Kuwait City becomes empty.
For many years, there have been calls to transform the capital into a hub of social and economic activity around the clock. Sadly, these calls have largely gone unaddressed by the relevant authorities. Across the globe, capital cities are designed to be the beating hearts of their countries, teeming with residential towers, commercial buildings, and are self-sufficient. With the beginning of Kuwait’s financial boom, the government became active in purchasing homes within the capital to help citizens escape hardships and establish commercial ventures.
The intent was never to depopulate the capital or transform it into just a government hub. However, a flawed understanding of housing welfare, focused solely on expanding private housing, has resulted in citizens leaving the heart of the city. This exodus has left the capital in a state of desolation. Despite the city’s bright lights at night, it lacks vitality and soul. Meanwhile, the misguided approach to housing has fueled urban sprawl into remote areas, without a clear economic or social vision to boost the country’s economy. As a result, the adoption of the “land and loan” principle, coupled with parliamentary interventions aimed at securing votes, has led to haphazard construction and the development of unsightly concrete cities.
These developments not only harm the environment and nature but also clash with the social culture. On the other hand, the housing crisis has worsened, as every citizen wants to build their own home according to personal preferences and often invests in rental properties, which further increases pressure on public facilities. How long will this policy of horizontal housing expansion continue while neglecting the potential of vertical urban growth? To what extent can the state meet housing demands and allocate plots for construction while neglecting the economic, industrial, and agricultural activities that are the backbone of social stability and the country’s prosperity? Former Housing minister Bader Al-Humaidi was wise when he developed a plan to utilize the capital city for housing purposes. However, members of the National Assembly pressured to halt the project, prioritizing the ballot box over the longterm interests of the community and its citizens.
Today, a large segment of young people in Kuwait is in need of housing support, many of whom have studied abroad, particularly in Europe and the West, where they are accustomed to living in apartments and residential buildings. Instead of spending years on a waiting list, these young people would prefer apartments ranging from 400 to 500 square meters that are selfsufficient with services, and conducive to social cohesion. Why isn’t the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, Kuwait Municipality, and the Ministry of Finance working together to allocate the undeveloped land in Kuwait City for vertical housing? By doing so, they could provide young citizens with a vital source of life for the capital. Kuwait City is home to many heritage sites, neglected facilities, and dilapidated buildings that could be revitalized socially, culturally, and economically. This transformation could be achieved at no cost to the state beyond the issuance of plot allocation transactions. In contrast, the current policy followed by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare is outdated, creating one crisis after another and draining a lot of money from the public budget.
Meanwhile, the Kuwait Credit Bank has provided approximately KD 3.5 billion in long-term loans. I had previously suggested that this money could be better invested in residential development projects within the capital city. Many citizens rush to sell their plots as soon as they obtain the usufruct rights, often at high prices ranging from KD 300,000 to KD 400,000, while the government charges just 250 fils per square meter. This exacerbates the housing crisis and drives up the cost of rent allowances granted to employees. By the end of 2024, the state is projected to have spent KD 3.8 billion to cover the rent allowance budget. This money is being wasted due to a lack of a clear vision, despite the existence of simple solutions that require only competent will and amendments to relevant laws, particularly the Kuwait Municipality Law and the Law of the Public Authority for Housing Welfare. Encouraging young people to live in vertical residential buildings within the capital’s borders could be an effective strategy. I once again urge His Highness the Prime Minister to allow ministers to spend a night in the desolate Kuwait City. Perhaps this experience will help them understand the true meaning of a city that lacks spirit after dark.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
