Munira Al-Amir, Chairwoman of the Technical Committee at the Municipal Council

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 7: Municipal Council member Munira Al-Amir submitted a proposal to establish the National Registry for Buildings and Real Estate, serving as a unified data umbrella for all information related to the condition and status of buildings and land throughout the country. Al-Amir explained that the proposal is not just a technical or administrative step, because it is a comprehensive vision aimed at reorganizing urban development, national identity, resource management and government decision-making. She pointed out that one of the difficult challenges in urban planning in the country is the fragmentation and dispersion of data among multiple entities, with each holding only part of the overall picture and lacking a national framework to connect these pieces into a single, integrated system.

She stressed that effective urban planning and proper management of real estate assets cannot be achieved without a precise and continuously updated national database that accurately reflects the real condition of buildings and land, including their usage, structural status, and architectural and urban value. She stated that the objective is not just to gather information, but also to transform data into a practical tool for decision-making. She said the proposed national register should function as a dynamic platform, regularly updated and governed by clear standards, and a guide for urban planning policies, rather than existing as a static archive of information. She added that the register will also help preserve the architectural identity of the country, especially in light of the loss of many buildings with historical importance or unique architectural character. She affirmed that protecting the architectural identity does not start with demolition or restoration decisions, but with documentation.

She emphasized the need for coordination with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) to ensure the proper classification and documentation of historical buildings with cultural and architectural value. She clarified that her proposal is founded on the principle of institutional integration, as no single entity can manage this issue independently. She indicated that the proposal also calls for coordination between the Kuwait Municipality and other concerned entities like the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior (Civil Defense Department), Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Environment Public Authority (EPA), and Ministry of Information.

 By Inaas Awadh Al-Seyassah and Arab Times Staff