Services have begun to be disconnected from buildings in the Al-Ruwaiss neighborhood of Jeddah in preparation for demolition
The Jeddah Municipality announced a crucial step in its regulatory and development efforts, beginning next Tuesday with the disconnection and removal of utilities from a large number of dilapidated buildings in the Al-Ruwaiss district . This step comes as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting lives and property and ensuring public safety for the city's residents and visitors.
Details of the procedures and the legal deadline
The municipality clarified that the General Directorate of Emergency and Crisis Management had completed all necessary legal and administrative procedures before taking this step. The first phase included notifying the owners of 1,011 buildings classified as being in imminent danger, for which official demolition orders had been issued by the Committee for Buildings at Risk of Collapse. The municipality emphasized that the owners were given sufficient legal time to rectify their situations or vacate the buildings before the actual disconnection of services began, in accordance with transparency and established procedures.
Urban development context in Jeddah
This measure is not an isolated event, but rather part of a massive project underway in Jeddah to reorganize neighborhoods and address visual pollution. Al-Ruwaiss district is one of the older neighborhoods targeted by these development plans, as authorities seek to rid the city of dilapidated buildings that are no longer habitable, burden infrastructure, and detract from the overall urban landscape. These efforts fall under the umbrella of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which focuses on improving quality of life and humanizing cities.
The importance of the decision and its impact on public safety
The importance of disconnecting utilities in preparation for demolition lies in mitigating the catastrophic risks that could result from the collapse of these buildings, especially those suffering from serious structural damage. Keeping these buildings connected to utilities (electricity and water) increases the likelihood of electrical short circuits or water leaks, which exacerbate foundation erosion. Therefore, the ongoing coordination between the municipality and the relevant service providers (electricity and water) is a necessary proactive step to ensure a risk-free environment.
Towards a sustainable urban environment
The Jeddah Municipality affirmed its commitment to continuing to monitor and address all buildings posing a risk throughout the city, not just in the Al-Ruwaiss district. These ongoing efforts aim to achieve a safe and sustainable urban environment that enhances the urban landscape of Jeddah, the "Bride of the Red Sea," and establishes it as a leading tourist and investment destination, free from informal settlements and buildings that threaten public safety.
