Municipalities and Housing: 7.7 million inspection tours to improve the urban landscape
In a move reflecting the scale of efforts to improve the urban environment in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing that its affiliated municipalities and secretariats conducted more than 7.7 million intensive inspection tours in recent months. These tours covered cities, residential neighborhoods, commercial establishments, and construction sites, as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the urban landscape and raising quality of life, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
The importance of oversight in achieving quality of life goals
These intensive monitoring campaigns are an integral part of the Quality of Life Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to improve the lifestyle of individuals and families and build a society where its members enjoy a balanced way of life. Municipal oversight plays a pivotal role in this context, as its mission extends beyond simply monitoring violations to include ensuring food safety, regulating the urban environment, and reducing visual pollution that negatively impacts the aesthetics of cities and the psychological well-being of residents.
The data indicates that these efforts have direct economic and social implications; a well-organized and clean urban environment attracts investments, supports domestic tourism, and enhances residents’ sense of satisfaction and security, making Saudi cities an attractive environment to live and work in.
Employing artificial intelligence and modern technologies
In a significant shift in monitoring mechanisms, the ministry explained that monitoring operations no longer rely solely on traditional human effort, but rather on an advanced technological system. A prime example is the “My City Lens” system, which utilizes artificial intelligence and precise geospatial analysis to automatically and rapidly detect visual distortions.
The use of surveillance cameras inside food and health facilities has also been activated to ensure compliance with health standards around the clock, in addition to the application of approved and standardized inspection checklists for commercial and construction activities, which reduces personal interpretations and increases the efficiency and fairness of control procedures.
Tangible results and shared responsibility
This advanced methodology yielded immediate results, with 110,071 violations detected and addressed in November alone. These violations spanned various areas of municipal work. The ministry affirmed that these figures reflect the seriousness with which any transgressions that could harm public health or detract from the city's appearance are being addressed.
In closing, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing stressed that preserving the urban landscape is a shared responsibility, calling on all members of society and business owners to cooperate by adhering to regulations and by taking the initiative to report violations through official channels, to ensure sustainable development and achieve a safe and prosperous urban environment for all.
