Riyadh: The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has launched the update and alignment of municipal supervisory boundaries during a workshop held in Riyadh, marking the inauguration of one of the key pathways for developing the municipal system aimed at enhancing municipal efficiency and strengthening developmental coordination.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is leveraging international expertise in this field as part of the cooperation agreement signed between the ministry and the United Nations on the sidelines of the Cityscape Global Exhibition in September 2023.
The workshop witnessed the participation of more than 60 representatives from municipalities and sub-secretariats, along with several international experts. Participants discussed challenges related to supervisory boundaries and developed practical solutions to address them. The experience of Al-Baha Municipality, which completed the update and alignment of its supervisory boundaries, was also reviewed. The municipality shared its experience in enhancing alignment and improving performance, providing participants with a successful model that can be scaled and applied in other regions.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning and Lands Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Ghamlas emphasized that through this initiative, the ministry aims to enhance the efficiency and structure of the municipal system and address current challenges, contributing to more efficient urban planning, effective management of services and infrastructure, and broader accessibility to municipal services.
UN-Habitat Country Representative in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Taina Christiansen noted that clear and precise municipal supervisory boundaries, harmonized authorities, and equitable service coverage are essential elements of effective, people-centered urban management, helping to ensure fair access to services, efficient land use, and targeted investment in housing, infrastructure, and public spaces.
Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Saudi Arabia Margaret Jones Williams highlighted that strengthening the structuring and classification of the municipal system will improve local planning and urban management, enhance institutional capacities and governance frameworks, and ensure the sustainability of this transformation.
This initiative is part of a three-year cooperation program between the ministry, UNDP, and UN-Habitat, which includes six initiatives aimed at enhancing spatial planning governance, empowering municipalities, building capacities, and supporting innovation in urban development. This partnership reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthening collaboration with international expertise to realize sustainable, inclusive, and effective urban development.