The Prophet's City never fails to amaze its visitors with its development projects. Just recently, the new Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport was inaugurated and soon, trains from Al-Haramain High Speed Rail Project will be ready to start trips.
The projects have even covered valleys of the city. One of them is Al-Ayoun Oasis project where visitors can enjoy breathtaking sights.
A year ago, Al-Madinah Municipality decided to rehabilitate the neglected Al-Ayoun area and build a health academy, sports rehabilitation center and a safari park.
Al-Ayoun is rich in water and has many farms. An important historical site covering a total area of 40 sq. kilometers, it is located only 11 kilometers north of the central area of Madinah along Othman Bin Affan Road.
When the project is completed, it will turn the area into a natural retreat where families can have fun in a green environment, Al-Madinah daily reported.
The project aims to preserve the area's fertile land, generate significant economic returns, provide a popular getaway for the city's residents, accelerate urban development, conserve the environment and safeguard the heritage of the area. Obstacles
Perhaps the most difficult obstacles planners faced were the absence of reliable infrastructure, poor transportation network and limited public awareness on the importance of the area. Unfortunately, many residents do not realize that the area can be developed into a successful investment project and they themselves can benefit financially from the compensation that will be paid to those who own land in the area.
The number of farms has decreased significantly over the past few years because their owners are no longer interested in farming. The overall appearance of the area has been distorted as many farms have been neglected. Garbage is scattered throughout the area, especially toward the outer perimeter of Al-Ayoun.
It will take the development company some time before it can deal with and overcome these obstacles and start implementing the project.
Al-Madinah Mayor Khalid Abdulqadir Taher said the project, which includes the development of two roads, would be completed in a year and a half in three phases. The German company implementing the project will use global designs but incorporate elements of Islamic culture and heritage into these designs.
The project will also create thousands of job opportunities for Saudis and help reduce unemployment in the city.
