JEDDAH, 2 August 2007 — Officials at the Jeddah Municipality announced yesterday that following support from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, they have formulated 42 development projects for the city’s historical area to take place over the next 10 years.
“There is an urgent and immediate need to rehabilitate the area socially and economically with development projects,” said Adnan Abbas, head of the historical area’s Structure Development Department at the Jeddah Municipality.
He added that for the past 20 years, the city’s historical area has been damaged through both natural and human causes. “The area has suffered various fires and human casualties due to a lack of safety. With King Abdullah’s support, we are now preparing a comprehensive plan to ensure fires do not take place there anymore,” he said.
He added that the local and private sectors have given their approval to finance the 42 development projects, which aim to shift Jeddah’s historical area into a world-renowned tourism and cultural area.
The projects would take place over three phases. The first lasting four years and the other two running equally over the remaining six years, he said.
The proposed projects include a plan to establish an underground water supply network solely for tackling fires when they occur. Work will also be done to ensure telephone and electricity cables are run underground instead of hanging freely over buildings.
Other projects include renovating and rehabilitating historical structures, establishing a five-star hotel, creating a museum, bringing life to traditional coffee shops and restaurants and establishing a handicrafts school, he said.
“Public facility projects include preparing one of the historical structures to become an official hosting place for guests of the Makkah Governorate, various multi-floor car parking structures, developing the infrastructure and having a main building for managerial and security services,” he said.
Environmental projects include creating an environment-friendly transport system inside the area, adding lampposts, organizing parks and adding more greenery in the area, he said.
The first phase would start next month, he said, adding that the municipality would also use the help of traditional craftsmen in renovating buildings.
