Khalid Albaker, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program, recently stated that the program seeks to transform Makkah into a globally inspiring model for housing quality, visit appeal and elegant residency through strategic partnerships and sustainable collaboration with all parties.
Albaker showcased the program’s objectives, key achievements and progress in implementing its initiatives as he addressed the second edition of the Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen dialogue platform. He discussed opportunities for collaboration with various sectors to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors of Makkah, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Albaker emphasized the program’s goal of improving the quality of life for individuals and families by creating a supportive environment that fosters positive choices and enhances psychological well-being and overall health.
Program bolsters Saudi Arabia’s cultural presence internationally
Highlighting some key achievements, Albaker noted that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in the security sector, with a trust rate in security services reaching 99.7 percent. This reflects the sense of safety and stability felt by both residents and visitors.
Additionally, the Kingdom has welcomed over 100 million tourists, underscoring the success of efforts to promote tourism and entertainment, alongside training more than 100,000 specialized personnel in the entertainment sector.
The Quality of Life Program has also enhanced Saudi Arabia’s cultural presence internationally, with Saudi participation in 32 international cultural events and the organization of over 3,930 days of cultural activities, indicating a substantial boost in cultural and recreational engagement both within the Kingdom and abroad.
In 2023, the program contributed SAR1.5 billion to the GDP and advanced the implementation of 127 diverse initiatives in close cooperation with 17 executing agencies.
In urban design, the per capita share of public spaces and places in 2023 increased by 132 percent, reaching 6.61 square meters per person. The number of parks reached 8,328, with 5,515 playgrounds and 222.9 million square meters of green spaces. The number of entertainment venues also increased to 584, surpassing the target by 169 percent.
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Key initiatives propelling Makkah’s quality of life
In Makkah, Saudi Arabia has made strides in raising the quality of life. Last year, the city’s municipality inked a key agreement to develop innovative technical solutions for smart city applications, aiming to enhance the city’s resilience against natural disasters, particularly floods and torrents. By improving service efficiency, boosting infrastructure safety, and leveraging technology, the city aims to significantly enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.
Last year, Makkah also revealed its first residential community with the aim of enhancing its living conditions while aligning with national development objectives.
The city is also transforming its streets into pedestrian-friendly zones, encouraging walking and cycling and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Makkah is embracing smart city technologies to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance the overall quality of life.
The Makkah municipality is actively attracting private sector investment to diversify the economy and create new job opportunities. The city now boasts over 280 public parks and 118 playgrounds, including football, volleyball and tennis courts.
