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Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait To Replace 591 Street Names With Numbers Under New Naming Policy
Kuwait has approved the replacement of hundreds of street names with numerical identifiers, phasing out personal names from most roads and squares across the country. The decision aims to implement a uniform and depersonalised system for naming public areas. The initiative was formally endorsed by Kuwait's Committee for Studying Proposals and Requests for Naming Cities, Suburbs, Districts, Streets, and Public Squares during a meeting held on June 23. The meeting was chaired by Acting Director-General of the Municipality, Engineer Manal Al Asfour. According to local media reports, the committee approved the renaming of 591 streets to numerical labels. An additional three streets will be named after Arab capitals or cities, in accordance with the latest Cabinet directives. The effort stems from a May 20, 2025, Cabinet decision that mandates the use of numbers instead of personal names on streets and public locations. While the Cabinet guidelines allow for some flexibility, including naming public spaces after historical figures, Kuwaiti ruling family members, or leaders of allied nations, such cases will now be subject to stricter scrutiny and will generally require reciprocity from the countries involved. Naming public areas after individuals will be significantly limited going forward. Instead, a default numbering system will be applied to new and existing roads, with exceptions granted only for cases deemed diplomatically or historically significant. Existing names that do not reference individuals are expected to be retained. The Cabinet has formally approved the proposed naming framework and has directed the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs to present the amendments to the Municipal Council for final adoption.
Arab Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait to rename 591 streets under new numbering policy
KUWAIT CITY, June 30: The Committee for Studying Proposals and Requests for Naming Cities, Suburbs, Districts, Streets, and Squares has approved the implementation of the Cabinet Resolution issued on May 20, 2025, which mandates the replacement of personal names on roads, streets, and squares with a numerical system. During its meeting on June 23, chaired by the Acting Director-General of the Municipality, Eng. Manal Al-Asfour, the committee reviewed a report outlining the changes. According to a copy of the report obtained by Al-Qabas, the committee approved the renaming of 591 streets using a numbering system and decided to rename three streets after Arab capitals or cities. The decision comes in response to a letter sent by the Council of Ministers to the municipality, directing the replacement of individuals' names on roads and public areas with numbers. The letter references the Cabinet's earlier decision dated June 3, 2024, which tasked the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs with developing a draft proposal to initiate the change within two weeks. The Cabinet emphasized that the naming of roads, streets, and squares after kings, rulers, princes, sultans, or heads of state should be limited and should adhere to the principle of reciprocity, particularly when naming streets after countries and their capitals. At its May 20 meeting, the Cabinet reviewed guidelines proposed by the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and the Minister of State for Housing Affairs on the renaming process. These included: Adopting numbering as the default method for naming roads, streets, and squares, and converting current names into a digital format. Allowing exceptions in certain cases: Existing names not associated with individuals may be retained. Roads and public areas may still be named after rulers of Kuwait, prominent historical figures, heads of friendly states, and members of the ruling family. Names of cities, capitals, and countries may be used when based on reciprocal arrangements with other nations. Following the review, the Cabinet approved the proposed regulations and instructed the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs to begin the legislative process to amend the names of public spaces in line with the new policy. The move is seen as part of a broader initiative to standardize and modernize urban planning, improve navigation systems, and reduce controversies associated with the naming of public infrastructure.
