المملكة: "Al-Haqil" At the World Urban Forum: Providing housing programs that benefited one million families
On behalf of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud The Crown Prince, Prime Minister – may God protect them -, head of Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the Kingdom’s delegation at the presidential meeting of the countries participating in the thirteenth World Urban Forum, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program in the city of Baku, with broad participation from country leaders, officials, experts and international organizations concerned with sustainable urban development.
Al-Hogail stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented urban transformation led by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which has made quality of life and sustainability two main axes of development. The Minister of Municipalities and Housing explained that the Kingdom is not only working to develop cities, but is reformulating the concept of the city itself, by adopting modern urban models that balance economic development, sustainability and quality of life, noting that what Saudi cities are witnessing today represents a comprehensive national transformation that redefines the relationship between man and place.
Urban and Housing Sector
Al-Hogail indicated that the Kingdom has achieved Qualitative achievements in the urban and housing sector, most notably the increase in the home ownership rate to more than 66%, in addition to providing housing and development solutions and programs that benefited more than a million families, including developmental housing programs that contributed to enabling deserving families to own their homes and enhancing their social and economic stability.
He pointed out that the Kingdom has placed people at the heart of urban development, by enhancing urban accessibility and redesigning cities to be more vibrant, safe and quality of life, in addition to launching 19 architectural models. It reflects the Saudi urban identity and preserves the cultural character of cities while keeping pace with modern urban development.
He stressed that the Kingdom is moving forward in building the cities of the future by adopting the concepts of smart cities and benefiting from advanced technologies and data, indicating that more than 8 Saudi cities have been registered in the IMD Smart Cities Index, while 16 Saudi cities have joined the Healthy Cities Initiative, as part of integrated efforts to raise the quality of life and achieve urban sustainability.
Strengthening international partnerships
Al-Hogail stressed the importance of strengthening International partnerships and the exchange of experiences and knowledge to build cities more capable of facing future challenges, stressing that the Kingdom’s experience in urban development represents an advanced model based on people, identity and sustainability.
It is noteworthy that the Thirteenth World Urban Forum is one of the most prominent international forums concerned with the future of cities and sustainable urban development, and brings together leaders of governments, international organizations, decision-makers and experts from various countries of the world. To discuss challenges and solutions associated with urban planning and sustainable development.
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