The official spokesperson for the Jeddah Governorate Municipality, Mohammed Al-Buqami, confirmed that the municipality today began the process of disconnecting basic services from dilapidated buildings in Al-Ruwaiss neighborhood, as part of an integrated strategic plan aimed at enhancing public safety and protecting lives and property, in preparation for starting demolition work in accordance with the approved regulatory procedures.
A proactive plan to mitigate risks
Al-Buqami explained that the risk of collapse of old and dilapidated buildings is one of the most prominent challenges that the municipality is working to address comprehensively. He noted that the municipality has formed a specialized committee to handle the issue of buildings at risk of collapse using a proactive approach aimed at preventing catastrophic incidents before they occur. He added, "The municipality is working to monitor these buildings in various neighborhoods of Jeddah, based on its responsibility to maintain public safety. The process begins with identifying the sites in the field, followed by a thorough technical inspection by specialized consultants to assess their structural condition and the extent of the risk they pose.".
He explained that the results of the technical inspection are the basic criterion for determining the appropriate action, clarifying that some buildings may only need restoration and reinforcement work, in which case property owners are notified of the necessary restoration requirements, while other buildings are classified as posing a direct danger and are not eligible for restoration, which necessitates their immediate removal after granting the owners the legal deadline and officially notifying them.
Urban development context and addressing visual distortion
These developments in the Al-Ruwaiss district are an integral part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts, under Vision 2030, to improve the urban landscape and enhance the quality of life in major cities. Jeddah, as the gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a vital economic and tourist hub, is a key focus of urban redevelopment projects.
By removing these dilapidated buildings, the municipality seeks to eliminate the visual pollution hotspots that negatively affect the city’s aesthetics, in addition to utilizing the spaces resulting from the removal in development projects or improving traffic flow and public services, which enhances the attractiveness of residential neighborhoods and raises their investment and social value.
Statistics and figures: 1011 locations in Al Ruwais
Regarding the scope of work completed and targeted, Al-Buqami revealed figures reflecting the scale of the efforts, noting that the municipality had previously removed more than 400 structures in Al-Faisaliyah district and more than 90 in Al-Rabwah district. Concerning Al-Ruways district, he said, “1,011 structures at risk of collapse have been identified, and all necessary procedures have been completed, including notifying the property owners. Today, we begin the process of disconnecting utilities to these sites, followed by demolition work according to the approved schedule.”.
The official spokesperson concluded his statement by emphasizing that these measures are not limited to the security and safety aspect only, but also serve the interest of sustainable development, calling on property owners to fully cooperate with the Secretariat and adhere to the issued notices, in order to contribute to accelerating the pace of work and achieving a safe and advanced urban environment befitting the status of Jeddah Governorate.
