The Awardee and Citation

ACI-Kuwait Chapter was pleased to present its Award of Achievement 2021 to Mr. Mohammed Al Nassar for his ‘lifetime involvement in formulating Kuwait Municipality policies influencing urban development in the State of Kuwait’.

Eng. Al Nassar, better addressed as Abu Eid, was born in Kuwait. His early schooling started with the well-known Al Nile School, and continued through Al Ghazalli and Al Shamiya schools. After finishing from Shuwaikh High School, he travelled to Egypt for higher studies, and in 1980 he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Alexandra University. It is during his time at the university that he developed an interest in urban development.

Career

On his return to Kuwait he joined Kuwait Municipality, where for the first ten years, he worked in the Building Department’s Branch in Salmiya.

The key focus of his work was municipal issues pertaining to the large and heavily populated neighborhoods in Salmiya, Hawalli and Fahaheel. Ten years later, in 1990, he moved to Kuwait Municipality’s iconic main building in Kuwait A few years later, he was promoted to become the Deputy General Manager, and this was followed by his appointment in 2000, as the General Manager of Kuwait Municipality.

He remained in this position till his retirement in 2006.

Circumstances and Personal Convictions

The post-occupation liberation of Kuwait in 1991 ushered in a new municipal planning vision for the country. It was time for optimism and there was a perceiveable call for change; changes in people’s aspirations and a better appreciation of their rights.

The sphere of municipal influence was becoming more pronounced and the country needed more investment and development opportunities.

As an obvious outcome, the municipal development code required clearer definition, and its utilization and implementation had to be managed more effectively.

In effect, the Municipality had to better understand the desires of investors and put in place a more comprehensive urban development strategy.

Open minded thinking was required, with flexibility in the interpretation of the building code, and a more forward looking urbanization vision. And, this became Abu Eid’s vision. Important personal convictions moulded Abu Eid’s work and influence. Firstly, he has a strong belief in the significance and importance of national and local master plans.

He values the extensive analysis, research and expertise involved in developing comprehensive, realistic and implementable cultural constraints. Furthermore, he always appreciated that these have to be realized through concerted effort, with appropriate policies and regulations, and all within a firm and balanced legal framework.

He was convinced that if pursued as intended, the country’s urban development would be much better managed, organized and implemented.

New Development

In the context of master plans, in his capacity as Director, Eng. Mohammad has the drive and vision to push for the establishment of a number of new projects. These include amongst others, Mutlaa City, Subiya, Sabahiya, Sabah Al Salem and Shadadiya.

Another aspect of urban development was the national plan for highways and roads, for the implementation of which he and his colleagues had to wrestle with complex issues pertaining to : coordination with private land owners; land acquisition and legal complications; road reserves in different and difficult locations; dealing with conflicting interests; and satisfying demands of various concerned statutory authorities.

These aspects called for tactful management, and led to many important decisions concerning highway networks, some of which have already been executed over the past few years.

Code Interpretation

Abu Eid had an open-minded approach towards the interpretation of the building code, and his developmental philosophy was aptly explained by using a tissue box to illustrate the flexibility needed in formulating policies for built-up areas and allowable floor area ratios. The floor area ratio, FAR, defines the area that can be built on a given plot. It is expressed as a percentage of the size of the plot.

The tissue box aptly demonstrated how imaginative interpretation and application of the Municipality’s FAR was necessary.

The diagrams alongside illustrate that while the total built-up area remains constant, code interpretation impacts massing, site utilization, open space, building height and visual quality of any development. This approach came into its own when the concept of investment through a BOT (build, operate and transfer) system was introduced in Kuwait. At the beginning of this century Kuwait Municipality oversaw implementation of various prominent BOT projects, some of which were under Abu Eid’s leadership. These included amongst others, Marina Mall, Al Kout Mall and Souq Sharq.

A number of waterfront phases were also similarly implemented as BOT ventures. The Municipality also directly initiated and implemented some major waterfront projects, including Waterfront Phase 4 and Injaffa in Ras Salmiya. Changes in the code also eventually facilitated other significant mega projects, such as The Avenues, 360 Mall and Al Hamra Tower.

Life and Work Philosophy

Abu Eid has a commendable life and work philosophy that has guided him in his career. He proudly says that a sincere and serious work ethic is an essential attribute for everyone; and that particularly in public services, one’s decisions must always be in the country’s interest.

He humbly appreciates and accepts that his work and achievements would not have been possible without the support of his many hard working colleagues, experts and technical staff.

Importantly too, competent employees and professionals should be given the freedom to think creatively, and be empowered to take well-studied decisions. He also emphasizes and acknowledges his father’s immense influence in moulding him into the person he is. He proudly, with love, respect and sincere appreciation, proclaims his father, Mr. Eid Al Abdul Mohsen Al Nassar, to be his influential guide, mentor, leader and friend.

It is not surprising, therefore, that he nurtures his own family and four wonderful grandchildren with the same compassion and reverence. And his most enjoyable hobby? Taking long walks, which he says give him peace of mind and become for him his daily opportunity for quiet contemplation.