Saudi Arabia's quality of life program to transform Makkah into a global model for cities

Khalid Al-Bakr, CEO of the Quality of Life Program in Saudi Arabia, recently stated that the program aims to make Mecca a model city for global housing quality, tourist attraction, and elegant living through strategic cooperation and sustainable collaboration with all parties. Al-Bakr emphasized that this move aims to comprehensively improve the quality of life for Mecca residents and visitors alike.

At the second "Merkaz Balad Al-Amin" dialogue platform, Al-Bakr showcased the program's goals, key achievements, and progress in implementing various initiatives. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation with various industries to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors of Mecca, thereby aligning with the goals of "Vision 2030." This vision aims to promote the comprehensive development of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Bakr emphasized that the program's goal is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families by creating a supportive environment, promoting positive choices, and enhancing mental and overall health. He pointed out that the security sector has made significant progress, with the trust rate in security services reaching 99.7%, reflecting the sense of security and stability among residents and visitors.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has hosted over 100 million tourists, highlighting its success in promoting tourism and entertainment. At the same time, the country has also trained more than 100,000 professionals in the entertainment sector. The Quality of Life Program has also enhanced Saudi Arabia's international cultural influence, with Saudi Arabia participating in 32 international cultural events and organizing more than 3,930 days of cultural activities, indicating a significant increase in cultural and entertainment activities both domestically and internationally.

In 2023, the program contributed 1.5 billion Saudi Riyals to Saudi Arabia's GDP and advanced 127 different initiatives in close cooperation with 17 implementing agencies. In terms of urban design, the per capita share of public space and places increased by 132% in 2023, reaching 6.61 square meters per person. The number of parks reached 8,328, with 5,515 playgrounds and 222.9 million square meters of green space. The number of entertainment venues also increased to 584, exceeding the target by 169%.

In Mecca, Saudi Arabia has made great strides in improving the quality of life. Last year, the Municipality of Mecca signed a key agreement aimed at developing innovative technology solutions for smart city applications to enhance the city's resilience to natural disasters, especially floods and flash floods. By improving service efficiency, enhancing infrastructure security, and leveraging technology, the city aims to significantly improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, thereby aligning with the goals of "Vision 2030."

Last year, Mecca also unveiled its first residential community, designed to improve its living conditions while aligning with national development goals. The city is also transforming its streets into pedestrian-friendly zones, encouraging walking and cycling and promoting healthier lifestyles. Mecca is adopting smart city technologies to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall quality of life. The Municipality of Mecca is actively attracting private sector investment to diversify the economy and create new jobs. The city now has more than 280 parks and 118 playgrounds, including soccer fields, volleyball courts, and tennis courts.