Jeddah Municipality: Services to be cut off from dilapidated buildings in Al-Ruwaiss
The Jeddah Municipality today began taking decisive practical steps to address visual pollution and improve the urban landscape, with field teams starting to disconnect utilities from dilapidated buildings in the Al-Ruwaiss neighborhood . This step is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting lives and property and paving the way for demolition work to begin in accordance with approved regulations and bylaws.
A proactive plan to enhance public safety
The official spokesperson for the Jeddah Municipality, Mohammed Al-Buqami, clarified that the current action in the Al-Ruwaiss neighborhood is not an isolated measure, but rather part of a series of procedures aimed at eliminating hazards within residential areas. He emphasized that the collapse of old and dilapidated buildings poses a significant security and social challenge, necessitating the formation of specialized committees working according to a proactive plan to monitor these sites before any potential disasters occur.
The remediation process involves several meticulous stages, beginning with on-site monitoring, followed by technical inspections by specialized consulting firms to assess structural safety. Based on the reports, buildings are classified into two categories: buildings that can be renovated, whose owners are notified of the necessary procedures, and buildings that pose an imminent danger and require immediate demolition after the legally mandated deadlines have passed.
Urban development context and official figures
This move comes at a time when Jeddah is witnessing extensive development in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program, as the municipality seeks to rid the city of buildings that distort its urban character and threaten the safety of its residents. Older neighborhoods such as Al-Ruwaiss, Al-Faisaliyah, and Al-Rabwah are among the areas that have been heavily targeted by these corrective campaigns.
In terms of figures, Al-Buqami revealed statistics reflecting the scale of the work completed, noting that 1,011 dilapidated buildings had been identified in the Al-Ruways district alone, and their owners had been notified beforehand. The municipality is now entering the stage of disconnecting utilities in preparation for demolition. He also reviewed the municipality's previous efforts, which resulted in the removal of more than 400 buildings in the Al-Faisaliyah district and 90 in the Al-Rabwah district, demonstrating the seriousness with which this issue is being addressed.
Expected impact and social dimension
The importance of these measures extends beyond security; they also include improving the urban environment and increasing the investment value of neighborhoods. Removing dilapidated buildings opens the door for replanning and developing areas in line with the new identity of Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea. The official spokesperson emphasized that the municipality prioritizes communication with residents and property owners to ensure the smooth and transparent implementation of these procedures.
The Secretariat concluded its statement by calling on all owners of old properties to cooperate and expedite the correction of the conditions of their buildings, stressing the continuation of its monitoring tours to ensure a safe and sustainable residential environment for all residents of Jeddah Governorate.
