Launching a national initiative to develop solutions for street vendors in Saudi Arabia

In a strategic move aimed at reshaping the urban landscape and boosting the local economy, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in partnership with the Eastern Region Development Authority, launched the first national initiative dedicated to developing solutions to empower street vendors . This initiative, part of the "Urban Development Hackathon," reflects a serious governmental commitment to transforming this sector from an informal, unregulated environment into a sustainable and organized economic system.

Context of the initiative and Vision 2030

This pioneering initiative comes at a time when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing radical transformations in urban planning and city management, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Street vendors are no longer viewed as a marginal phenomenon, but rather as a vital part of the economic and social fabric, requiring innovative solutions instead of traditional prohibitions. These efforts fall under the umbrella of the Quality of Life Program, which aims to improve the urban environment and reduce visual pollution, while preserving income sources for productive families and those with limited means through legitimate and regulated channels.

Track details and innovative solutions

The launch of the initiative saw active participation from the Ministry's "Support, Development, and Empowerment of Street Vendors" team, which provided guidance and oversight. Participants were directed to focus on developing comprehensive solutions that integrate three key dimensions: urban, technological, and marketing . This integration aims to create an attractive working environment for vendors, ensuring their sustainability and facilitating their integration into the formal economy, rather than relying on temporary solutions.

Expected economic and social impact

This move has far-reaching dimensions and effects at both the local and national levels:

• Economically: Regulating the sector contributes to transforming the “shadow economy” into a formal economy, which increases the contribution of small and micro enterprises to the gross domestic product, and provides sustainable job opportunities for young people and families.
• Urbanly: Innovative solutions (such as smart kiosks and location-based applications) will eliminate randomness and congestion, and transform points of sale into aesthetic landmarks that serve tourism and entertainment, especially in the Eastern Province, which is a major tourist destination.
• Socially: This approach enhances the financial stability of the most vulnerable groups and preserves their dignity by providing a legal and regulatory framework that protects their rights.

Hackathon results and future steps

The hackathon concluded with the crowning of three teams that presented innovative models and solutions aimed at developing tools for street vendors and creating highly efficient operating environments. In this context, Princess Najoud bint Hathloul, General Supervisor of the Ministry's Street Vendor Support, Development, and Empowerment Team, affirmed the team's commitment to adopting the winning ideas and working diligently to transform them into tangible, practical models.

Princess Najoud pointed out that the concept of empowerment goes beyond simply issuing licenses; it extends to investing in innovation and creating real job opportunities that support the national economy. This step underscores the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing's commitment to enhancing integration with relevant entities, such as regional development authorities, to build smart, organized, and vibrant cities that achieve well-being for their residents and visitors.