An introduction to the Green Khobar initiative and its ambitious goals
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable development, the Eastern Province Municipality has achieved an exceptional milestone within the Al-Khobar Green Initiative. The municipality exceeded its targets, planting more than 163,800 trees across the city of Al-Khobar. This achievement enhances the quality of life and the urban environment, propelling the city confidently towards its ambition of becoming one of the top 100 most livable cities in the world by 2030.
General context and connection to the Saudi Green Initiative
This local achievement cannot be separated from the broader national context, as these efforts fall under the umbrella of the Saudi Green Initiative launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom. This strategic vision seeks to combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and curb desertification. In this context, the city of Al-Khobar plays a pivotal role in translating this vision into tangible reality by transforming urban spaces into sustainable green environments that contribute to lowering temperatures and improving air quality.
Details of the achievement and expansion of the scope of work
The official spokesperson for the Eastern Province Municipality, Faisal Al-Zahrani, explained that the initial plan for the current planting season targeted only 11 locations. However, the pace of implementation has significantly increased, now encompassing the planting of 13,800 shade trees in 32 vital locations throughout the province. This expansion includes main roads, residential neighborhoods, and key intersections. In addition to the trees, the season has seen the planting of over 1.4 million flowers and shrubs, adding a distinctive visual and aesthetic touch to the city's streets. The area of green spaces has also increased by 120,000 square meters, bringing the total area to over 2.3 million square meters.
Types of trees and targeted locations
To ensure the sustainability of these environmental projects, the municipality selected eight tree species suitable for the local environment and coastal climate of Al-Khobar, with heights exceeding four meters to provide ample shade. Among the most prominent of these species are neem, fig, royal poinciana, hollyhock, and Indian jasmine. These trees were strategically planted along King Fahd Road, King Faisal Road, King Saud Road, Prince Turki Road, and other vital streets such as Abdul Latif Al-Fawzan Street, the extension of the Al-Sadaf Corniche Road, and the Al-Ulya, Al-Rakah, and North Al-Khobar districts, in addition to the Corniche and public parks.
Future aspirations towards globalization
The Eastern Province Municipality's efforts didn't stop there. Al-Zahrani confirmed the commencement of intensive preparations for the upcoming agricultural season. The primary objective is to double the number of trees and green spaces in the province. These efforts complement the Urban Humanization Program, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to create a healthy and human-friendly urban environment. This will enhance Al-Khobar's tourism and economic standing, bringing it closer to achieving its global goal of becoming one of the best cities to live and settle in.
