Saudi Arabia’s Green Revolution: Massive Urban Tree-Planting Initiative Ignites in Al Nakheel, Riyadh

Green Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s extensive tree-planting venture, has commenced its highly anticipated greening initiative in Al Nakheel, thus marking the next chapter in the country’s ambitious agenda to delineate Riyadh’s residential landscapes with an additional 7.5 million trees.

Propelled by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, alongside the backing of Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Green Riyadh program forms one of Riyadh’s crucial mega-projects. Showcasing immense dedication towards environmental sustenance, the program corresponds with the ambitious objectives set out in the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030 policy agendas.

The expansive tree-planting operation in Al Nakheel neighbourhood commenced on the 5th of October, making it the seventh residential fee to experience green conversion, closely following similar works in Al Aziziyah, Al Araija, Qurtuba, Al Ghadir, Al Jazeera, and Al Naseem.

Inclusively, the Al Nakheel urban transformation will comprise the strategic placement of approximately 50,000 trees and shrubs, ornating 17 local parks, four schools, 30 mosques, 14 parking areas, and a 52 km stretch of urban streets and pathways. This initiative is expected to considerably morph the city’s visual outlook, and more importantly, enhance its environmental sustainability aspect.

To celebrate the launch of this pivotal project phase and to educate residents regarding impending developments, an exhibition and event series is scheduled to occur from October 5 to 14 within Al Nakheel. Citizens can familiarise themselves with essential information about the venture, such as project stages, its total duration and the neighbourhood’s future aesthetic prospects post the project’s completion.

All told, the Green Riyadh program is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving urban environmental excellence. By multiplying the per capita share of green spaces from 1.7 m² to 28 m², increasing city greenery coverage to 9.1% and significantly ameliorating Riyadh’s overall urban environment, Riyadh continues to premiere an ambitious green revolution in line with Saudi Arabia’s statewide goal of planting 10 billion trees in the ensuing decades.

The initiation of such level-minded ecological pursuits unequivocally underscores Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in tackling ecological decline and reinforces its standpoint towards a more biodiverse urban tactical framework, effectively signposting the herald of a new era in urban greening initiatives.