JEDDAH: Two Saudi cities are taking part in the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) in Abu Dhabi to present their experience at improving living conditions for residents.

The WUF10 is a roundtable for specialists, leaders, decision-makers, ministers, mayors, and civil society stakeholders to define priorities and commitments toward sustainable urban development, especially since 55 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas.
AlUla, represented by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), and Madinah, represented by the Madinah Region Development Authority (MMDA), are participating in the forum’s discussions being held under the theme of “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation.”
The forum, which started on Saturday and runs until Feb. 13, is being attended by representatives from 168 countries. It is organized by UN-Habitat.
The MMDA will focus on the urban, social and economic impact of its projects. Some of the completed projects that aimed to improve conditions for citizens and visitors will also be reviewed.
The Madinah model, which will be showcased at the forum, comprises a number of development and sustainable initiatives that have been carried out to improve the quality of life for people in the region and to make public spaces more friendly.
The RCU is showcasing its model for sustainable development in AlUla, which is home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site of Madain Saleh.
Covering an area of more than 22,000 sq km in the northwest of the Kingdom, AlUla is being developed as an open-air living museum.
“The commission’s strategy mirrors that of the forum with our belief in culture as a pillar of sustainable development and the contribution it makes to the long-term regeneration of urban areas,” said RCU CEO Amr Al-Madani.