Slums development to lift social level of 20% population: Experts

Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — According to real estate experts, the development of slums through providing basic services and job opportunities and an increase in investment rates will contribute to improve the quality of life for about 20 percent of Saudi Arabia's 31 million population. Real estate expert Khalid Al-Dobaie said: “Slums development includes buildings, public services, roads and infrastructure that will reflect positively on the living condition of residents.” He pointed out that the absence of control and an increased rate of land development were the cause for indiscriminate expansion in diverse regions, mainly in Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern Province. Al-Dobaie said the solution should start by establishing a slums development fund to construct developed areas around them to facilitate the implementation of the development plan, mainly focusing on providing basic services such as clean drinking water, schools and adequate projects to link and accommodate people when development works accomplished. Businessman Saud Al-Marzoki urged governmental development companies in Jeddah, Makkah and Taif for more collaboration with the private sector for highly efficient implementation of the slums development projects. He explained the social repercussions of education, reduced dependence on city ​​for basic services and a high level of health and cultural services. Al-Marzoki pointed out that the majority of slum areas currently are suffering from groundwater. He said the development of these areas would be contributing to health and social care for a section of people deprived of basic services for many years. Social worker Dr. Sahar Rejab said the majority of recent studies have shown weak social and health aspects for slum residents and delaying solutions is unjustified. Rajab pointed out that the absence of the slums development leads to a loss of morale and self-esteem among a large number of citizens and residents, which would negatively affect the final upshot of productivity in general. She exhorted municipalities to urgently set building regulations and standards for development works that should take into consideration the nature of each region and conserve its characteristics. Rajab believes that the development work would restore the soul to a lot of archaeological and historical areas that have not witnessed a sign of development nor modernization for many years. She concluded saying: “The right beginning of development work starts from the conviction of people themselves about the importance of the project in improving the quality of life for them and future generations, as well as the availability of necessary support from regional governorates and officials of various municipalities.”