Scrap vehicles seized in Jeddah's Aziziyah district to improve the urban landscape
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance quality of life and improve the urban landscape, the Jeddah Municipality a large-scale field inspection campaign targeting areas of illegal transportation and municipal violations within the Al-Aziziyah . This successful operation resulted in the seizure and confiscation of a significant number of vehicles used to transport scrap metal and other waste materials illegally, and strict legal measures were taken against the violators.
Details of the monitoring process in Al-Aziziyah
The mayor of Al-Aziziyah, Heba Al-Balawi, explained the details of this field operation, noting that the inspection teams, thanks to diligent monitoring and follow-up, were able to uncover suspicious transactions related to the transport of metals and scrap. Al-Balawi emphasized that these practices violate applicable municipal regulations and bylaws, necessitating immediate intervention from the relevant authorities. The teams began their work by impounding the vehicles involved in the unlicensed transport operations and confiscating all seized cargo to ensure it does not reappear in the informal market.
Campaign context and "quality of life" objectives
This campaign is not an isolated measure, but rather part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, and implemented by municipalities across the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program. This strategy primarily aims to eliminate visual pollution that negatively impacts the aesthetics of Saudi cities, in addition to regulating commercial activities and ensuring their compliance with regulations.
The phenomenon of random collection and transportation of “scrap” is considered one of the most prominent challenges facing urban planning, as it often causes the accumulation of waste in residential neighborhoods, obstructs traffic, as well as environmental damage resulting from the unsafe handling of metal waste.
Security and environmental dimensions
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these campaigns carry significant security and environmental importance. Regulating the scrap metal sector helps to curb the activities of undocumented workers who often operate in this field beyond the reach of oversight. Furthermore, impounding these vehicles reduces potential environmental hazards, as these materials are frequently stored in unlicensed yards lacking even the most basic safety and fire prevention standards, posing a serious threat to residents of neighboring areas.
Community partnership and the role of the population
In closing, the Jeddah Municipality reiterated its call to all citizens and residents to be active partners in protecting their city. The Municipality emphasized the importance of activating community oversight by immediately reporting any suspicious activity or municipal violations, whether related to public cleanliness, encroachments, or unlicensed commercial activities.
The Secretariat confirmed that official communication channels are available around the clock, where reports can be easily submitted through the “Baladi” application available on smartphones, or by contacting the unified reporting center 940, in order to strengthen the integrated partnership between the Secretariat and the community in preserving urban gains and developing the urban environment.
