O Aruna Municipality, how are the setbacks being used?
One of the most crucial elements of national identity for any country is urban planning that reflects its society. Consequently, the layout of neighborhoods, streets, and roads constitutes part of this identity, taking into account the country’s climatic conditions. In arid environments, such as our own, planning should aim to mitigate the burdens imposed by high temperatures, starting with agriculture and the intensification of vegetation cover.
In this regard, the responsibilities fall under several institutions, including cooperative societies, municipalities, governorates, ministries, and even the Council of Ministers, each playing its own role.
In Kuwait, for decades, there have been calls to increase vegetation cover and plant trees along streets and in other spaces left exposed to wind and dust. If setbacks are planted and homeowners care for the vegetation adjacent to their houses, it helps serve the environment, which is the bare minimum.
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Recently, instead of helping to beautify neighborhoods, the state has enacted a series of laws and decisions that prevent citizens from utilizing abandoned spaces to enhance the aesthetics of places, under the pretext of “encroachment on state property,” thereby exacerbating people’s hardships.
The relevant institutions could be leveraged for environmental initiatives, rather than through such restrictive laws and decisions, starting with cooperative societies, moving through the municipality and the Agriculture Authority, reaching the Ministry of Public Works, and culminating in the Council of Ministers.
It is well known that a portion of cooperative societies’ profits is allocated to maintaining and beautifying neighborhood facilities and ensuring general cleanliness. However, this role seems to have been lost in recent years, leaving many trees along roads withered and neglected.
Conversely, the Agriculture Authority has designated certain species for aesthetic planting, but these measures are insufficient and fail to address the core issues. In other countries, street greenery is not merely a visual feature but an environmental service. There are many tree species that can be planted along the country’s streets without damaging infrastructure, and agricultural experts are well aware of these options.
One of the most important duties of any municipality is sound planning that serves the community and, as previously mentioned, reflects the country’s national identity. These duties include designating parking spaces, planning roads and squares, overseeing general cleanliness, and caring for the aesthetics of areas within its jurisdiction.
Indeed, there are efforts by the municipality, but the so-called area master plan focuses on development and is part of the state’s general master plan. This is what the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have done, taking into account the interests of citizens, the environment, and national identity.
From this perspective, it is commendable that the Prime Minister’s Highness directs institutions to advance development, visits neighborhoods and public facilities, and even reviews new planning for cemeteries. However, more important is the attention paid to residential neighborhoods, which suffer from decisions and laws that have turned many areas into near-deserts, marred by disturbing visual blights.
While law enforcement is important, what matters more is the spirit behind its application, helping people live in less burdensome conditions. All arguments regarding so-called “encroachment on state property,” whether concerning plantings in front of homes or sunshades, have not served the environment or the state; rather, they have increased citizens’ hardships.
O government, tell the people what you want and how you intend to utilize the large setbacks in residential areas.
