The Jeddah Municipality announced the launch of a comprehensive field campaign to identify and remove all encroachments on sidewalks and streets throughout the city. This step comes as a swift response to address the phenomenon of encroachment on public facilities, which has become a blight on the urban landscape and obstructs pedestrian traffic. The municipality affirmed its determination to pursue violators and enforce regulations against them without leniency.
Background of the phenomenon and its dimensions within the framework of Vision 2030
The encroachment on sidewalks, whether by shop owners displaying their goods or by converting them into private parking spaces, is a challenge facing many major cities worldwide as a result of rapid urban expansion. In Jeddah, this problem has worsened in some neighborhoods, negatively impacting the quality of life and pedestrians' right to use safe and designated pathways.
This campaign falls within the broader framework of Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve the quality of life in its cities, a key component of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These efforts aim to "humanize cities," making them more livable by enhancing infrastructure that encourages walking and exercise, and providing attractive public spaces, which positively impacts the health and well-being of the community.
Details of the municipal plan: inventory, removal, and strict enforcement of regulations
The Jeddah Municipality explained that its plan to address these violations includes several key aspects, including:
- Comprehensive survey: Sub-municipalities conduct intensive field tours to monitor and document all types of encroachments on sidewalks and public facilities.
- Immediate removal: Working to remove violations immediately, and obligating violators to restore the situation to what it was at their own expense.
- Enforcement of fines: Imposing penalties and fines on violators through the national “Compliance Platform”, to ensure the standardization of procedures and enhance the efficiency of oversight.
- Security coordination: Direct cooperation with the Jeddah Governorate Traffic Department to deal with vehicles parked illegally on sidewalks, and to take the necessary measures against their owners.
Importance and expected impacts: Towards a human-friendly city
This campaign is expected to have tangible positive impacts at the local level. In the short term, it will help free up sidewalks and facilitate pedestrian movement, especially for the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. In the long term, the campaign aims to instill a culture of respect for public order and property, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Jeddah, the "Bride of the Red Sea," and increasing its attractiveness as a residential and tourist destination.
These efforts also reflect the integrated roles of various government entities in enforcing regulations and achieving sustainable urban development goals. The success of this campaign will not only improve the visual landscape but will also extend to enhancing road safety and reducing reliance on vehicles for short commutes, aligning with global trends toward building healthy and sustainable cities.
The Secretariat affirmed that it will continue its periodic monitoring tours to ensure that violations do not recur, praising the role of the media and citizens in highlighting such negative practices, and considering them key partners in achieving a better urban environment for all.
