Male’ City Council has adopted a new land-use plan that includes significant housing and entertainment developments, as well as initiatives to address parking difficulties.
The city council’s land-use plan envisioned the development of an entertainment hub near the port area in Maafannu, which would contain a multiplex cinema, bowling alleys, an ice-skating rink, and an open-air stage. The entertainment hub also includes a space for sports such as billiards and carrom. A similar entertainment complex is proposed for the region between the Hulhumale Ferry Terminal and the Male’ Carnival area.
The land-use plan also featured a yacht marina close to the entertainment hub, and the Council planned five 25-story towers next to it on the city’s west side to house around 1,000 families.
A mosque with a capacity of 1,500 people, as well as facilities for sports like handball, tennis, and futsal, were also included in the area’s land-use plan.
The land in Boduthakurufaanu Magu, from that area till Male’ fish market area, has been allotted for 15-story office buildings, as well as high-end apartments and boutique stores, according to the land-use plan.
The plan also proposes the current building in the Male’ fish market area to be relocated to the fish market’s office building, with upper floors leased to cafés and restaurants. A market for fruits and vegetables has also been suggested for the first level of the building, with a fish market on the ground floor.
The land-use plan also proposed constructing a building in the present parking lot in front of Majeediyya, with two floors of the new structure allocated to parking and the top floors dedicated to the development of a children’s play area and garden. Similar concepts were planned for the Heenaamaage parking lot.
A low-rise multifunctional facility with a basement and ground level dedicated to parking has been planned for the Fishermen’s Park area.
The next major effort in the land-use plan is a specialised street food area in front of Lonuziyaarai Park, as well as an outdoor gym near Usfasgandu.
The following are some other projects in the land-use plan:
- Multipurpose sports hall near Male Swimming Track
- Housing project for 360 households in the Sinamale Flat area
- An area dedicated to Male City Hall and municipal services, as well as stores near the Swimming Track
- Parking area and residential building for 160 households near Ekuveni Running Track
- Residential complex for 675 families near Maafannu turf stadiums.
- Commercial complex featuring rooftop restaurants and cafés near the Villimale Ferry Terminal.
- 20-meter swimming area in Rasfannu
Aside from that, the city council also suggested expanding roadways in various sections of Male’, as well as a rapid transit system in the outside roads and certain interior roads.
