JEDDAH — The Municipality of Jeddah said it would not accept the return of slums to the governorate, the Okaz newspaper reported quoting the spokesman for the municipality, Muhammad Al-Baqmi revealed that removal work was being carried out on a number of buildings in Al-Harazat neighborhood in the southeast of Jeddah governorate, which included buildings, warehouses, and commercial centers that were randomly built in the area over the years. He explained that the slum development project is considered one of the most important projects in the cities of Saudi Arabia and at the regional level, and the project's goal is to improve the quality of life for the residents of these neighborhoods. He also said: "Construction took place in some neighborhoods, whether in the east or south of the city, in an irregular manner on lands that do not have legal deeds, and without building permits. This is a violation, and legal measures will be taken against these sites." Al-Baqmi added: "The sites that were removed, whether in Al-Harazat neighborhood or elsewhere, were built illegally on lands by people who did not possess their legal deeds and without building permits, which is a violation, and we will take the necessary legal measures in this regard." Jeddah Governorate saw the complete removal of 32 slums in Jeddah and barriers were placed around those sites. Main roads were built to a number of them while roads to some others are planned but yet to be implemented to improve the quality of life in these areas in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, as well as to limit the spread of negative phenomena at all levels. As many as 174 illegally built shops were also removed at Al-Barma 14 market in Al-Manarat neighborhood. The demolition work comes within the framework of the municipality's ongoing initiatives to combat visual distortion and improve the urban landscape on the roads and within neighborhoods. Most of the dismantled structures were hangars where commercial activities were carried out in random ways in unsuitable environments and without meeting, health requirements.
