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A rethink has been urged into the revamp of Manama Suq with officials calling for more “futuristic” plans that will stand the test of time.
The Capital Trustees Board has proposed an innovative virtual reality tour of the country’s oldest market to help tourists in a rush.
They have also urged authorities to fast-track renovation work so that the market can receive an influx of tourists as the country bounces back from Covid-19 impact.
A BD6 million facelift of the suq was first announced in 2016.
It includes renovating the signage and store-fronts of 275 shops located on four main streets in the suq – Bab Al Bahrain Avenue, Shaikh Abdulla Avenue, Al Tijjar Avenue and Crown Prince Avenue – and expanding the wi-fi network.
This followed a study by British expert Hank Dittmar, of Urban Futures, who helped prepare new plans for the suq, blending modernity with tradition.
The GDN reported last month that the second phase of the market’s renovation is complete.
“Today’s world has seen vast changes in how traditional markets should look like, what is attractive and what appeals to locals and tourists,” said Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah.
“Even though the last study was done in 2017, we need a rethink on how modernisation and preservation of heritage can be blended.”
He highlighted the role of artifical intelligence and Virtual Reality in uplifting the market on par with international standards.
“The market should have a virtual view with details of each shop revealed through a QR code scan,” he said.
“Compiling such information is easy as we have documented history stretching back to at least 150 years.
“Such a feature would also be a great advantage for tourists, especially those arriving in cruise ships, as they have a limited time to tour the kingdom.”
He also called for more innovations to transform the suq into a world-class attraction.
The 2016 revamp plan includes turning the old section of the market into a pedestrian zone, with transportation access for cycles, golf carts and environmental-friendly auto rickshaws, also known as tuk-tuk.
“The traditional shopping experience is still likeable but when compared with other traditional markets across the world, things are still missing in our (Manama) suq.
“I mean who would have thought years ago that valet parking in shopping malls and other places would be business worthy, but now it is.”
Mr Tarradah also stressed the need to fast-track the project so that it can receive tourists and play its role in boosting the economy.
“In any development or progress, there is difference of opinion, but that shouldn’t halt things – time is precious.
“Remodelling work has to be done faster in the Old Manama Suq.”
The Suq Development Committee is headed by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry and comprises the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Capital Trustees Board, the Capital Trustees Authority, the Capital Governorate Security Directorate, the Capital Governorate, and Tamkeen are also represented in the panel.
The GDN reported in July last year that a proposal by Parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Salloom, who is also a BCCI board member, to turn the suq into a vehicle-free zone has been taken into account by the government.
The proposal aims to tackle heavy congestion and pollution at the suq.
There are also plans for galleries and workshops for traditional handicrafts, live performances, additional car parks and a strip for cafés and shops.
The proposals come as the Old Town Manama is vying for World Heritage Site status as it was named on a tentative list to be considered for Unesco nomination alongside two other sites – Hawar Islands and the Awali Oil Settlement.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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