Saudi Arabia implements large-scale urban development reforms

Saudi Arabia is pursuing wide-ranging urban development reforms aimed at building sustainable, people-centred megacities, a Kingdom representative has stated during a ministerial roundtable at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The official noted that countries worldwide are reassessing their approaches to urbanisation and re-evaluating the role of people within the urban environment, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“As part of the national programme, Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom has launched a profound urban transformation in which quality of life and environmental sustainability have become the main pillars of development,” he said.

He added that the reforms have now moved into the implementation phase, delivering tangible outcomes in the housing sector.

Home ownership in Saudi Arabia has risen from 47 per cent to over 66 per cent, while more than one million households have been provided with modern housing solutions.

According to him, government initiatives have enabled tens of thousands of families to significantly improve their living conditions.

The representative also highlighted a shift in residential planning and design approaches.

“We have launched 19 large-scale urban design initiatives. Their aim is to harmoniously combine advanced technological solutions with the preservation of the cities’ unique cultural identity,” he emphasised.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov