Sharjah adopts new system of street names, numbers

In the next few months all streets and buildings here will have their own identity under a new system introduced by the Directorate of Town Planning and Survey.

"The directorate has finalised the design of the new system," Director-General Obaid bin Ahmed Al Tunaiji said, adding that samples of the new road signs have been installed on roads in some areas.

Al Tunaiji said the project is being personally supervised by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, since it was ordered implemented by the Ruler.

"This is an important project for Sharjah, since cities are usually known by the names and numbers of their streets, areas and landmarks, which reflect geographical and civilisational identity. They also mirror the history and heritage of the people of these cities," Al Tunaiji said.

All public departments will benefit from the new system. "It will facilitate the police, firemen and postmen, among others. It will also help residents and tourists move more easily from one place to another."

Al Tunaiji said the need for new road signs stemmed from the fact that Sharjah city has expanded greatly in the past three decades and the old format, first introduced in 1977, had become inadequate.

"The number of commercial buildings increased threefold between 1978 and 2000; the number of industrial establishments sevenfold; villas fivefold; consequently, the number of roads has increased."

Al Tunaiji said that the first phase of the project comprised detailed studies and designs, dividing the city into smaller units and working out a system that combined naming and numbering streets.

"In the second phase we coordinated with public departments such as the police, the municipality, the electricity and water authority, and the civil defence, to introduce the new system to them and get their support."

The third phase involved designing new road signs, giving them names and numbers, and working out a proper installation plan. The fourth phase included tendering the installation of these signs to private companies. Phase five involves naming and numbering all streets and buildings.

He said His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, had instructed the directorate to name some streets after martyrs of the Palestinian Intifada. The street linking Al Khan Road and Khalid Lagoon is now known as Intifada Road. Another road off Al Qasba Canal was named after Mohammed Al Durra, the Palestinian child whose murder by Israeli troops was televised worldwide.