MAKKAH, 11 November 2007 — Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of the Makkah region, yesterday emphasized the need to responsibly revise urban development in Makkah, while upholding the Kingdom’s image.
Opening the 14th annual conference of the Saudi Ekistics Society in Makkah, the governor said the conference came at a time when Makkah was in need of a thorough change in its development plan.
“When I was given the charge of governor, my dream was to make Makkah the most modern and beautiful city,” he said.
“We have to work together to realize the ambitions of our leadership about this region, bringing about comprehensive development after taking into consideration the growing number of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah,” the prince said.
The governor said the new development plan for the region should also consider the economic importance of Jeddah and the tourism prospects of Taif.
“Development plans should reflect the cultural identity of the three major cities in the region. We should make happy the millions of pilgrims who come from different parts of the world when they enter and leave the holy city and move between the holy sites, providing adequate space for their housing, movement and transportation,” he said.
Prince Khaled reminded experts taking part in the conference about their great responsibility.
“The talk about Makkah reminds us about our responsibility before God as well as millions of Muslims who visit this holy city every year. We should leave a good impression in their minds about the Kingdom,” the governor said.
On the sidelines of the conference, Prince Khaled opened an exhibition focusing on major construction projects being carried out in Makkah and the holy sites.
Dr. Faisal Al-Sharief, chairman of the organizing committee, said Makkah was witnessing the largest development in its history. “We decided to hold our annual conference in Makkah in order to highlight our responsibility toward this holy city.”
Dr. Sami Barhameen, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Makkah Development, gave a presentation of development projects in Makkah.
Some 25 new real estate projects, including the Jabal Omar, Shamiya and Khandama projects are under construction in the central area of Makkah. The Makkah Development Authority approved the master plan for the development of the central region of the holy city two years ago.
The plan aims at providing accommodation for three million residents and an annual influx of eight million pilgrims.
