Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Ministry of Municipal Affairs: One Eye on Smart Cities, Another on Development | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Media ID: 55373482
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A car drives past the construction site of King Abdullah Financial District, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)


Riyadh – The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has taken quick and serious executive steps towards 17 local cities for the purpose of moving them to the phase of “smart cities.” This step contributes in growing investment opportunities, increasing job opportunities and achieving growth in the country.

This initiative launched by the ministry is one of the most prominent initiatives that are expected to leave a huge impact on the level of activating partnership with the Saudi private sector, which contributes in building a sustainable and viable partnership model.

Smart cities in Saudi Arabia seek to enhance the residents’ satisfaction, increase competition among cities, improve city management, guarantee civil sustainability, reduce negative environmental effects, attract domestic and foreign investments, create job opportunities and bolster averages of prosperity in cities.

Saudi Arabia is now considered one of the countries witnessing the greatest development. This is a natural product of Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious vision aimed at leading the country’s economy to the post-oil phase.

The municipal sector is considered a vital one and is expected to witness a big leap in the fields of censorship regulations’ procedures, project management, support services centers and implementation of smart city concepts.

Asharq Al-Awsat was informed that the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is preparing for a conference on smart cities – the first of its kind in the kingdom. The conference is expected to witness the signing of memorandums of understanding between the Ministry and the private sector.