Saudi urban policy: A partnership with the United Nations to achieve Vision 2030
In a strategic move aimed at shaping the future of Saudi cities, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, in collaboration with its international partners, is continuing its efforts to develop the Kingdom's first national urban policy. The second workshop within this ambitious project was held in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), with broad participation from representatives of government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, and international experts.
Historical background and strategic context: Keeping pace with Vision 2030
This move comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing an unprecedented economic and social transformation under the umbrella of Vision 2030. Decades of rapid growth and accelerated urbanization have given rise to new challenges and opportunities. With increasing population density in major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, there is a pressing need to adopt an integrated planning approach that ensures resource sustainability, enhances quality of life, and improves infrastructure efficiency. The National Urban Policy is the framework that will unify and direct disparate efforts toward common goals, transforming challenges into engines of sustainable growth.
Workshop objectives: Towards an integrated framework
The workshop aimed to review and develop the draft proposed policies and procedures, and to enhance coordination among various sectors and at all levels of governance. The Deputy Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing for Urban Planning and Lands, Engineer Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Ghamlas, emphasized that developing this policy is a crucial step in enhancing the efficiency of responses to current and future urban challenges. He stressed the importance of integrated work among all relevant entities to ensure the formulation of a policy that reflects the Kingdom's priorities and keeps pace with rapid urban transformations, in line with best international standards and practices.
The importance of international partnership and its expected impact
This initiative gains particular significance through its partnership with United Nations organizations, ensuring the utilization of global expertise and experience in urban development. Locally, the policy is expected to contribute to improving the quality of life for citizens and residents through more organized, inclusive, and sustainable cities. Regionally, the Kingdom's success in implementing a pioneering urban policy will position it among the leading nations in this field and provide a model that neighboring countries facing similar challenges can learn from. Internationally, this effort aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, which aims to "make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.".
Future visions and aspirations
UN representatives, Ms. Nahed Hussein from the UNDP and Ms. Taina Christensen from UN-Habitat, emphasized the importance of integrating national and international expertise to ensure the development of a policy capable of supporting sustainable development. They noted that a focus on coordination, participation, and effective implementation is essential for achieving tangible results on the ground. A strong national urban policy will act as a cohesive framework linking economic diversification, housing, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and quality of life, ensuring that urban development contributes to national priorities in a systematic and long-term manner.
