JEDDAH: The Jeddah Municipality has demarcated 20 different locations around the city for the construction of pedestrian paths to encourage walking which is becoming a highly popular form of sport for both families and individuals, according to a municipality official.

Ashraf Al-Turki, head of the planning department at the municipality, said the locations were chosen strategically to make them reachable from most residential districts.

“Locations were also chosen keeping in mind people of special needs,” he said.

Al-Turki said that the municipality had completed the general planning for the project, which is due to take off soon. He did not specify a date for the start or completion of the project.

Pedestrian paths would include both entertainment and educational aspects to add a rich experience for those who like to exercise, he said, adding that one of the paths would be dedicated to children.

The children’s path will be designed with certain colors and shapes featuring activities that concern children, he said. “The path will also include TV screens to hold educational and awareness messages for children, in addition to seating areas that will suit both children and adults,” he said.

Each pedestrian path will have booklets and brochures giving information such as their length and width, periodical activities and available facilities.

One of the proposed themes, he said, was a Poet’s Path, which would be designed to exhibit poems of Saudi and Arab poets along with their biographies and achievements.

“There would also be loudspeakers along the path that will relay recitation of poems and literature to make the walk both exciting and educational,” he said.

International landmarks is another theme for a path that will contain models of a variety of famous international structures. The path, he said, would also contain audio and visual effects in addition to the possibility of exhibiting paintings and photographs.

“This path will give a chance for youth to present their art to the public openly and give them a chance to express themselves,” he noted.

A sports path was also designed for walking, rollerblading, horse riding and cycling, in addition to such games as basketball, ping-pong and soccer. This path will have water and greenery setting to give a natural appeal to the area, he said.

Al-Turki said this project is just a first step to create more beautification projects and facilities for the public. “We are planning to have more than 100 differently themed pedestrian paths around Jeddah to service all the districts of the city,” he explained.