The Jeddah Municipality intends to reorganize and revamp several old neighborhoods in the city, mainly in the Galil and Petromin neighborhoods, at a cost of SR80 million, said Mohammed Al-Buqami, municipality spokesman.

Al-Buqami told Arab News that the municipality has expropriated around 800 properties to make way for expansion plans.

However, many residents living in rundown neighborhoods in Jeddah are desperately awaiting the inclusion of their neighborhoods in the development process.

In fact, several residents living in these neighborhoods have told Arab News that their areas lack many services that other districts enjoy.

They said that narrow streets, lack of public squares and shopping areas, in addition to the absence of other services, are prominent in these popular neighborhoods.

“We are patiently awaiting development initiatives to reach our neighborhoods,” said Said Al-Madani, a resident of the Petromin neighborhood. His neighbors Shaher Al-Muhamadi and Saad Al-Buqmi agreed.

“Rundown neighborhoods are hide-outs for criminals of different nationalities, who live in the backyards of old, abandoned houses,” Al-Madani said. “Street expansion and residential development and planning will greatly enhance services, utilities and facilities.”

Saleh Al-Baqmia, another resident of the area, said rundown neighborhoods suffer from accumulating garbage, sewage water flooding the streets and a lack of public parks and shopping centers.

“Redeveloping dilapidated neighborhoods will no doubt boost potential investment, which will lead to a comprehensive development process throughout the Kingdom,” he said.

The first development phase will acquire 100 properties.

The municipality has called on land owners to submit copies of their deeds for street expansion projects in both neighborhoods.