The Riyadh Municipality announced the launch of the voting phase of its pioneering community initiative, “Its People Name It,” which aims to involve residents of the capital in choosing names for seven new parks located in various neighborhoods. This step comes as part of the municipality’s efforts to enhance community participation and strengthen residents’ sense of belonging by giving them the opportunity to directly contribute to shaping the identity of the public facilities that serve them.
Background of the initiative in the context of Riyadh's urban transformation
This initiative is part of the comprehensive transformation underway in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, which falls under the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Vision aims to transform Saudi cities into more attractive and sustainable destinations, with a primary focus on improving the quality of life for residents. Increasing green spaces and developing recreational facilities are fundamental pillars of this approach. The "Its People Name It" initiative complements major projects such as the "Green Riyadh" project, which aims to plant millions of trees and increase per capita green space, making residents active partners in this development rather than mere recipients of services.
The importance of community participation and its expected impact
At the local level, the initiative is of paramount importance in building bridges of trust and communication between government entities and the community. When residents participate in naming their neighborhood park, they feel a sense of ownership, which strengthens their responsibility for its preservation and care. This sense of belonging contributes to strengthening the social fabric within neighborhoods and transforms parks from mere green spaces into vibrant community meeting points and spaces for interaction.
Regionally and internationally, these initiatives reflect positively on the development of urban management in Riyadh, placing it among the world's leading cities that adopt a participatory planning approach. Empowering the community to participate in decision-making related to their immediate environment is a hallmark of modern smart and sustainable cities. This experience is expected to inspire other cities in the region to adopt similar mechanisms for engaging their residents, thus promoting human-centered urban development.
Voting mechanism and included parks
The Riyadh Municipality has made the voting process available electronically via a dedicated link, allowing citizens and residents to view the list of proposed names for each park and choose the name they deem most suitable. The seven parks are located in various neighborhoods across the capital, ensuring the initiative reaches a broad segment of the population. The Municipality affirms that these efforts are ongoing within a comprehensive framework focused on the user experience, aligning with its vision of making Riyadh a prosperous and sustainable city that enhances the quality of life.
