Ministry of Municipalities: 7.7 million tours to improve the urban landscape
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing announced a significant leap forward in its oversight efforts, revealing that its affiliated municipalities and secretariats conducted over 7.7 million comprehensive inspection tours in recent months. These tours targeted cities, neighborhoods, commercial establishments, and construction sites, as part of its comprehensive strategy to improve the urban landscape and raise the quality of life across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The ministry explained in its statement that these intensive efforts resulted in the detection and resolution of 110,071 violations across various municipal sectors during the month of November alone. The ministry emphasized that these efforts are not solely based on traditional methods, but rather on a highly advanced technological system. This system includes the "Municipal Lens" initiative, which utilizes artificial intelligence and precise geospatial analysis for the immediate detection of visual pollution. Additionally, surveillance cameras have been activated within food and healthcare establishments to ensure the highest safety standards.
Strategic context within Vision 2030
These intensive efforts are an integral part of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically within the Quality of Life Program, which aims to position Saudi cities among the best in the world to live in. Historically, the Kingdom's municipal sector has undergone a radical transformation from traditional paper-based and field-based operations to automation and smart digital oversight. This transformation did not occur in a vacuum; rather, it is the result of years of investment in digital infrastructure, enabling the Ministry to manage millions of oversight operations with high efficiency and unprecedented response times.
The economic and social impact of censorship
The importance of these inspection tours extends beyond aesthetics and regulation, encompassing broad economic and social impacts. Locally, eliminating violations contributes to a fair competitive environment for compliant investors and enhances consumer confidence in services, whether food-related or construction-related. Regionally, these practices position the Kingdom among the leading nations in "smart city management," with the Saudi experience in utilizing artificial intelligence for municipal oversight becoming a model to be emulated in the Middle East, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's status as a hub for government innovation.
Regulatory and community protection responsibilities
The ministry emphasized that municipal oversight is a cornerstone of its regulatory and operational responsibilities, given its direct link to pedestrian safety, neighborhood cleanliness, food safety, and the quality of daily services upon which residents depend. It noted that these efforts have tangibly led to increased compliance rates in commercial and food-related activities, positively impacting public health and the organization of the urban environment.
Community partnership for sustainable development
In closing, the Ministry reiterated its call to all members of society and business owners to contribute to supporting these national efforts by reporting any violations observed through official channels such as the “Baladi” application or the unified reporting number 940. It emphasized that compliance with regulations and bylaws is a shared responsibility, and that effective partnership with the community is the cornerstone of sustainable urban development and ensuring a safe and clean urban environment befitting the status of the Kingdom’s cities.
