RIYADH: The Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh regions harbor about 60 percent of the population in the Kingdom which reached 32.6 million people as of the first half of 2017, a research study revealed.
According to preliminary data of the General Authority for Statistics, this is an increase of about 870,000 people compared to the end of 2016.
The area of these combined areas amounts to about 20 percent of the Kingdom’s total area of about 2,150,000 square kilometers.
The study was conducted by member of the municipal council, member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Makkah, Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Sindi, and titled “Approach to urban development and management of urban communities through quality of life indicators.”
“It demonstrates that Saudi Arabia, under the reign of King Salman and the crown prince, is booming in various fields of development — industrial, technical and others,” Sindi said.
This boom includes the Red Sea island projects, alternative energy and industrial areas, as well as the Al-Ghedia project south of the capital of Riyadh, Al-Faisaliah Smart City project and several others, he added.
The study showed that these projects will play an effective role in decentralizing services from the main cities that include education, health services, universities, government departments, recreational services, urban environment and employment opportunities, which are the main reasons people migrate from rural to urban areas.
According to the study, the social structure in Saudi society has become more flexible and more attractive, resulting in a change in lifestyle. The intensity of social disparity has become minimal and the degree of conflict between individuals has diminished.
The state has taken into account modern planning and future programs, managing urban development, including a platform to manage development of new urban communities.
“The state has also developed solutions to improve quality of life indicators through the creation of new cities and the reorganization, structuring and expansion of small cities throughout the Kingdom by the Department of Urban Development,” the study explained.
All this helps to create new cities, and this causes a reverse migration from cities to new integrated areas.
Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh harbor 60% of Saudi population
Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh harbor 60% of Saudi population
Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports
- Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, says oversight council
RIYADH: In response to false reports, Saudi Arabia’s government has affirmed that the Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement, carried by the SPA, highlighting that work-related fatalities stand at 1.12 per 100,000 workers.
“The International Labour Organization acknowledges this progress, highlighting … that Saudi Arabia has made significant advancements in improving occupational safety and health and reducing workplace accidents at the national level,” the council stated.
“Similar commendations have been offered by other reputable international organizations, including the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and the British Safety Council.”
The council was created primarily to integrate national policies and global best practices for occupational safety and health in the workplace.
On the legislative side, Saudi Arabia’s labor laws have mandated that employers provide comprehensive health insurance including essential preventive, therapeutic and healthcare services for all employees, the council stated.
The statement added: “Regulations also restrict work under direct sunlight during the summer months and establish working hours in accordance with international standards set forth in relevant ILO agreements.
“We emphasize the importance of verifying information and sourcing it from credible outlets.”
Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive
MADINAH: Ayman bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, director general of the environment, water and agriculture branch in Madinah, has launched the “2024 National Planting Season” in the city.
The program extends the ministry’s nationwide campaign “We Plant for Our Future,” supporting sustainable environmental development and vegetation growth as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.
The regional campaign features 36 volunteer programs involving more than 1,800 female and male participants. Plans include planting 50,000 water-efficient and environmentally sustainable seedlings, comprising mesquites, thorn jujube and sweet acacia trees, alongside 20 other wild plant species, aiming to boost environmental and agricultural awareness.
The campaign’s first phase targets education facilities, Prince Sultan Military Medical City and the Saudi Authority for Industrial and Technology Zones, or Modon.
This effort focuses on expanding green spaces, streamlining planting processes, and encouraging community-wide participation in vegetation preservation and planting initiatives.
Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World
RIYADH: Boulevard World is offering an array of thrilling horror experiences, inviting visitors to embark on spine-chilling adventures filled with mystery and surprise.
One of its standout attractions, The Dolls' Trip, takes visitors into an abandoned doll factory hidden within an ancient Mexican pyramid. What starts as a school trip quickly turns into a nightmare as dolls come to life in the shadows, trapping visitors in dark, labyrinthine tunnels.
Along the way they encounter eerie scenes such as the abandoned bus and the doll workshop, in which the lifeless figures seem poised to awaken. This adventure accommodates groups of eight, ensuring an exhilarating experience.
In the Egypt zone, the Mystery of the Nile adventure plunges visitors into the depths of ancient Egyptian history.
Aboard a boat navigating a mystical river, guests face mummies that shake the boat violently. As they journey through narrow bridges and corridors filled with traps, hieroglyphic symbols light up the walls, accompanied by spine-tingling sounds. This experience features stunning visual and sound effects, keeping participants on high alert throughout.
Pyramid Trail, which is also in the Egypt zone, challenges visitors with puzzles and obstacles deep inside an ancient pyramid. The adventure begins in a laser-filled room in which participants must carefully maneuver to avoid detection.
They then board a conveyor belt adorned with hieroglyphic symbols, dodging moving obstacles. The journey concludes with leaps over circular trampolines above a snake-themed pit.
Meanwhile, The Vampire Hotel awaits visitors to the Italy zone, where an Italian-inspired design sets a dark and eerie atmosphere. The journey begins in a haunted elevator that leaves participants with an unsettled feeling.
As they navigate the dim corridors, visitors encounter sticky walls, with curtains and furniture moving mysteriously. The highlight of the experience is the coffin room, where guests are invited to lay inside coffins. The hotel also boasts a dining room resembling a chilling movie scene.
Boulevard World’s horror attractions promise unparalleled thrills during Riyadh Season 2024, offering visitors the chance to explore new levels of fear and excitement at every turn.
Saudi humanitarian relief agency signs $10.4 million Ukraine aid deal
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has signed a cooperation agreement worth more than $10.4 million with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to provide shelter assistance to internally displaced people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
The funding will be used to provide 11,000 shelter kits, 2,400 rapid heating kits and a host of essential building materials to insulate homes during the winter. Almost 49,000 people are set to benefit.
The agreement was signed at the agency’s headquarters in Riyadh by Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief’s assistant supervisor for operations and programs, and Kelly Clements, UNHCR’s deputy high commissioner.
Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who heads KSrelief and is an adviser at the Royal Court, was also present.
The deal is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian aid to displaced people and refugees around the world.
Saudi, Bahraini officials review King Fahd Causeway expansion plans
MANAMA: Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef and his Bahraini counterpart, Lt-Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, conducted a joint inspection on Thursday of the King Fahd Causeway connecting the two kingdoms.
The officials were welcomed by Eastern Province Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Bandar and Suhail Abanmi, who heads both the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the causeway’s board of directors.
During the tour, Prince Abdulaziz and Sheikh Rashid reviewed ongoing development projects, focusing on expanded processing facilities and increased capacity measures designed to enhance cross-border travel efficiency, in line with Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council guidelines.
The 25-km long King Fahd Causeway is a series of bridges and causeways connecting AlKhobar in eastern Saudi Arabia and Al Jasra island in Bahrain. It was constructed in 1981 and opened to traffic in April 1985.
