In a move reflecting a renewed commitment to improving the urban environment, the Dhahran Municipality announced the successful planting of over 155,000 winter flowers last month. This initiative is a key component of the municipality's ongoing strategy to enhance the urban landscape and promote a higher quality of life in all neighborhoods and public spaces, in line with ambitious national aspirations.
Project details and beautification efforts
The Mayor of Dhahran, Engineer Faisal Al-Qahtani, explained that field teams have carried out intensive and well-planned urban beautification work. Al-Qahtani pointed out that the goal goes beyond traditional landscaping; the focus is on subtle details that may not be immediately noticeable to passersby, but which leave a profound psychological impact and a sense of comfort and beauty in the area. The work included the artistic arrangement of flowers in main streets, public squares, and parks, contributing to the creation of an attractive visual environment for both residents and visitors.
Alignment with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative
These efforts cannot be separated from the broader national context of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The afforestation and flower planting projects in Dhahran fall directly under the objectives of the “Saudi Green Initiative” and the “Our Eastern Province is Green” initiative, both of which aim to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification. These initiatives are a cornerstone of the “Quality of Life Program,” one of the Vision’s key programs, which seeks to transform Saudi cities into human-friendly cities that provide a healthy and sustainable environment and encourage positive lifestyles.
Humanizing cities and their environmental and psychological impact
These projects are particularly important in Dhahran, a city with significant economic and academic standing. Beyond the well-known environmental benefits of plants in moderating air quality and reducing carbon emissions, seasonal flowers play a vital role in enhancing the mental well-being of residents and mitigating visual pollution. Transforming stagnant spaces into vibrant green areas contributes to the concept of "humanizing cities," encouraging residents to walk and enjoy public amenities, and enhancing the city's appeal as a premier tourist and investment destination in the Eastern Province.
Engineer Al-Qahtani concluded his statement by emphasizing the municipality’s continued implementation of its operational plans for beautification and maintenance work, to ensure the sustainability of these aesthetic gains and to make Dhahran a model to be emulated in green urban development.
