Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Directs Comprehensive Support for Residential Neighborhood Development in Riyadh

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has directed a comprehensive review of residential neighborhood development within the Riyadh capital development project. This directive stems from His Highness’s commitment to enhancing citizens’ quality of life and providing residential environments with integrated services.

Details of the Royal Directive

The Royal Court confirmed that Prince Salman’s directives include specific criteria:
1. Expanding green projects and open spaces by 40% compared to current designs.
2. Enhancing the efficiency of road and transportation infrastructure.
3. Supporting integration between residential projects and educational/health facilities.
4. Applying environmental sustainability standards throughout all implementation phases.

Project Expectations and Societal Impact

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City anticipates these directives will lead to:
– A 15% reduction in population density within targeted neighborhoods.
– An increase in public recreational areas to reach 25% of the total neighborhood area.
– Creation of approximately 50,000 new job opportunities in operations and maintenance sectors.
An official commission spokesperson stated: “These royal directives are being implemented according to the highest global standards, ensuring Riyadh transforms into a global model for sustainable cities while preserving local identity.”

Implementation Steps

The implementation roadmap outlines two main phases:
1. Phase One (2024-2026): Rehabilitation of 12 existing residential neighborhoods.
2. Phase Two (2027-2030): Development of 8 new residential areas based on modern models.
Practical mechanisms include establishing a dedicated financing fund with an initial budget estimated at SAR 18 billion, through public-private partnership, under direct supervision from the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.
The royal directives affirm the continuation of Riyadh’s development journey to become a global model for smart cities, focusing on improving quality of life through integrated developmental projects aligned with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision and meeting citizens’ essential and recreational needs alike.