Nada Al-Maddah Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Makkah Municipality in coordination with its investment arm, Al-Baladul Ameen Company for Development, has finalized a comprehensive development strategy for Makkah that include developing slums and suburbs, local train services and housing. Mayor Osama Al-Bar said the local municipality is working hard under the supervision of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, to implement several development projects with a focus on partnerships between the public and private sectors. Al-Baladul Ameen Company in coordination with the municipality and other stakeholders is implementing projects with the participation of key developers from the private sector. According to Al-Bar, the overall goal is to facilitate integrated development without compromising the local population and existing urbanization. Five projects were approved to develop the Gooz Al-Nakasah, Al-Kedwah, Al-Zuhoor, and Jabal Al-Sharashif neighborhoods. There are also plans to develop the outskirts of Makkah to ease pressure on the Central Area and provide space and opportunities for residential and commercial areas and equip them with better public services and facilities. The most important of these suburban development projects is the one in the western suburb supervised by the Makkah Gate Company. The development area of 83 million sq. meters includes the expressway between Makkah and Jeddah, the national park and many investment, housing, educational and service projects. Al-Bar added that another important part of the development strategy is to develop the roads that connect to the Holy Haram including the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway and Makkah-Madinah Expressway. Another important element of the strategy is a railway project to connect the developing Haramain Railway system with the Mashair metro service, while there are also plans to start a number of affordable housing projects to help eliminate slums and provide enough homes for all Makkah residents. He explained that all existing projects and those under study are based on a clear vision and a desire to ensure the comprehensive development of the city, which is currently witnessing accelerating urbanization.
