Visitors flying into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, cannot refrain from noticing the city’s mosaic of parks and gardens. Despite the fact that its terrain is mostly desert, Saudi Arabia has put a lot of effort in recent years to maintain and preserve its biodiversity.
Crown Prince Mohammed initiated the environmental measures last year. They include the world’s largest tree plantation initiatives to collect carbon from the atmosphere, improve soil fertility, and enhance the quality of life.
The two programs are intended to assist the Kingdom and the wider area in adapting to and mitigating the consequences of climate change, as well as in adopting technology and practices that cut emissions and other pollutants.
As part of the initiatives to improve population health and promote sustainable habits by the end of 2021, over 60 community-based proposals and private-sector coalitions have already been launched. Riyadh is in the heart of it all.
The expanding metropolis will more than treble its population in the coming decades, according to an $800 billion project designed to transform it into a regional economic, cultural, and intellectual center. Naturally, such a transformation will raise ecological consequences.
The Green Riyadh Project stated plans in 2019 to plant 7.5 million plants throughout the city, raising greenery per capita to 28 square meters and overall green spaces to 9%.
The project intends to lower ambient temperatures in afforested areas throughout the city, improve air quality, and enhance the overall attractiveness of the metropolitan core. However, given its location and population concentration, Riyadh will require time, hard work, and commitment to become a sustainable metropolis that meets its goals.
Unmanaged surfaces cover around 20% of Riyadh. The purpose of shading such places is to reduce solar radiation exposure to uncontrolled surfaces. According to studies, doing so can reduce daytime temperatures by 5 degrees.
Urban areas must have more than just green spaces. They must also include basic facilities, recreational spaces, road and community afforestation, and the development of footpaths and pedestrian walkways.
