How Riyadh’s new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna

Special How Riyadh’s new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna
Future Horizons: Visualizing the expansive green spaces of King Salman Park, poised to transform Riyadh's urban landscape. (Supplied)
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Updated 31 August 2024
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How Riyadh’s new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna

How Riyadh’s new King Salman Park will provide an urban haven for flora and fauna
  • The park will feature over 11 sq. km of green space, including gardens, meadows, and forests, creating a vast natural habitat
  • Set to become the world’s largest urban park by 2025, it will expand Riyadh’s green footprint and foster biodiversity

RIYADH: When one imagines a rapidly expanding desert city, few are likely to picture a glittering modern skyline punctuated with green spaces alive with the sound of birds and insects. And yet, this is the dream that is fast becoming a reality in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Scheduled to open in 2025, King Salman Park is set to become the largest of its kind in the world, covering about 16.6 sq. km. As a flagship initiative of Saudi Vision 2030, it will not only expand the city’s green spaces, but also enhance quality of life.




Future Horizons: Visualizing the expansive green spaces of King Salman Park, poised to transform Riyadh's urban landscape. (Supplied)

“King Salman Park is set to redefine Riyadh’s urban landscape,” Khaled Al-Ojyan, an architect with Green Riyadh, told Arab News. “This ambitious project aligns perfectly with Vision 2030, transforming the city into a more sustainable, vibrant and green environment.”

Construction is progressing rapidly, with more than $1 billion in contracts awarded to spearhead its development. The project forms a major part of a broader $23 billion investment to revitalize Riyadh’s infrastructure, including contributions from the private sector amounting to $15 billion.

Situated on the grounds of the former Riyadh Air Base, the park will be seven times the size of London’s Hyde Park and five times that of New York’s Central Park, making it a monumental addition to the city’s landscape.




A Glimpse into the Future: Envisioning the lush landscapes of King Salman Park, set to become Riyadh's green oasis. (Supplied)

Although King Salman Park has been designed to provide a wide range of sports, cultural and recreational activities, it is also intended to act as a haven for biodiversity, featuring a wealth of plant and animal life.

More than 11.6 sq. km of the site will be dedicated to green space, planted with 1 million trees. These vast areas will contribute significantly to increasing the region’s vegetation cover, raising the rate of per capita green spaces and supporting a variety of local wildlife.

The park’s design also includes vertical gardens, an Islamic-style garden and various other spaces that will serve as habitats for birds, butterflies and other species, enhancing the park’s aesthetic appeal and creating a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem within Riyadh.

DID YOUKNOW?

• King Salman Park will feature more than 11 sq. km of green areas, including gardens, meadows and forests, creating a vast natural habitat within Riyadh.

• The park is designed to support diverse plant and animal species, with initiatives aimed at conserving native flora and fauna.

• The park will incorporate sustainable irrigation and water recycling systems, promoting water conservation and supporting plant life.

The park’s “valley” area, covering more than 800,000 sq. meters, will include several bodies of water designed to support aquatic life and offer migratory birds a place to rest.

The inclusion of these natural elements in the park’s design is a testament to the project’s commitment to environmental sustainability and urban biodiversity.




Imagining the Possibilities: A sneak peek of King Salman Park, where culture and nature will blend seamlessly. (Supplied)

“By incorporating advanced urban development and green infrastructure strategies, King Salman Park will serve as a dynamic centerpiece for the community,” said Al-Ojyan of Green Riyadh.

“It’s inspiring to witness such a forward-thinking initiative come to life, setting a new standard for urban development in the region. I believe this will be a landmark achievement for Riyadh.”

King Salman Park is not just about enhancing biodiversity. It is also about improving quality of life for Riyadh’s residents. The park will feature a 7.2-km pedestrian walkway, offering a serene environment for walking and exercise.




A Glimpse into the Future: Envisioning the lush landscapes of King Salman Park, set to become Riyadh's green oasis. (Supplied)

Recreational facilities, including playgrounds, sports complexes and cultural venues, will be spread across the park, encouraging outdoor activities and fostering a sense of community.

The park’s cultural facilities will be a major draw for residents and visitors alike. The Royal Art Complex, occupying an area of more than 400,000 sq. meters, will include a national theater, five museums, an outdoor theater and art academies.

These cultural venues will host various events and activities, making King Salman Park a vibrant cultural hub in Riyadh.

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Sustainability is a key focus of King Salman Park’s development. The park’s design includes numerous eco-friendly features, such as rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient systems.

These sustainable practices will minimize the park’s environmental impact and ensure that it remains a green oasis in the heart of Riyadh.

The park’s extensive green spaces and tree-planting efforts will also help mitigate the urban heat island effect, improving the overall climate in Riyadh.




Imagining the Possibilities: A sneak peek of King Salman Park, where culture and nature will blend seamlessly. (Supplied)

The strategic location of King Salman Park, linked to several main roads and public transport stations, will make it easily accessible, further enhancing its role as a sustainable and inclusive urban space.

King Salman Park is a long-term investment in the future of Riyadh. As part of the city’s transformation under Vision 2030, the park will play a crucial role in making Riyadh one of the most livable cities in the world.

Future enhancements and expansions will continue to promote environmental sustainability and urban biodiversity, ensuring that King Salman Park will remain a vital part of Riyadh’s urban landscape in the future.
 

 


Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora

Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora
Updated 01 November 2024
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Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora

Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora
  • Taif has established itself as a distinctive hub with its specialized honey market and diverse bee products

RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia, Taif’s beekeepers are revolutionizing honey production while staying true to their craft’s ancient roots.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that these artisans meticulously oversee every step of production, from harvesting pristine honeycombs to delivering the final product, adhering to rigorous quality standards that have made Taif honey renowned throughout the region.

“The honey supply chain begins long before the first drop is collected,” beekeeper Mohsen Al-Mudaifi said in an exclusive interview with the SPA. Operating about 500 hives, Al-Mudaifi’s operation yields an impressive 70-130 kg of honey during peak flowering seasons. His production line accommodates both traditional comb honey and liquid varieties, catering to diverse consumer preferences.

According to SPA, the secret to Taif’s thriving apiculture lies in its diverse landscape. The Tihama lowlands and the Sarawat highlands create a tapestry of microclimates rich in wild flora. This natural bounty includes aromatic shrubs, traditional thorn jujube trees, and a variety of indigenous plants such as acacia tortilis, sweet acacia and Astragalus.

The area also hosts distinctive mountain vegetation and the acacia asak plants. All these florae are considered premium honey-producing species, growing naturally in their pristine environment, and each contributing to the region’s distinctive honey varieties.

Taif has established itself as a distinctive hub with its specialized honey market and diverse bee products, anchored by a vibrant weekly honey auction. The practice, deeply woven into the region’s cultural fabric, has been passed down through generations.

In an annual ritual, beekeepers from the Sarawat mountains and Ghazwan peaks prepare for their seasonal migration, SPA reported.

This carefully orchestrated movement will soon see millions of bees transported in cylindrical or square hives to warmer climates, particularly to Taif’s Tihama region. Many will find their winter home in Al-Buhaita Wild Park, a sanctuary that has become both a tourist destination and a crucial waypoint in Taif’s honey production cycle.


MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh
Updated 01 November 2024
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MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, launched the National Afforestation Season for this year on Thursday in Riyadh under the title: “We Plant for Our Future.”

Khalid Al-Abdulqader, CEO of the NCVC, expressed his commitment to raising awareness about the significance of afforestation. He emphasized the need to support efforts to enhance vegetation cover and mitigate land degradation.

Through this season, the CEO aims to promote environmental sustainability and encourage the cultivation of local plants to improve the biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is taking further steps toward achieving the ultimate goal of the Saudi Green Initiative, SGI, which is to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares.

However, it requires strengthening partnerships with multiple sectors including the public and private sectors, and promoting volunteering among the society to achieve sustainable development goals.

The planting season also seeks to increase “tree planting” culture in Saudi Arabia, improve vegetation cover, and reduce land degradation by growing more local plants.

This initiative marks a new phase in environmental protection efforts, which have already led to the planting of more than 95 million trees across the country through collaborations between public and private sectors.

Previous partnerships have successfully rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of land and protected more than 4.3 million hectares, while this year, the target is to contribute to the SGI’s goal of planting 10 billion trees.

The Kingdom has been encouraging afforestation recently to tackle several environmental issues such as the rapidly changing climate, through lowering regional temperatures and controlling the severity of drought.

Saudi Arabia called on the world’s policymakers last month to urgently address land destruction and drought, especially since the country will be hosting the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 in Riyadh in December.


Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports

Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports
Updated 01 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports

Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports
  • Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, says oversight council

RIYADH: In response to false reports, Saudi Arabia’s government has affirmed that the Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement, carried by the SPA, highlighting that work-related fatalities stand at 1.12 per 100,000 workers.

“The International Labour Organization acknowledges this progress, highlighting … that Saudi Arabia has made significant advancements in improving occupational safety and health and reducing workplace accidents at the national level,” the council stated.

“Similar commendations have been offered by other reputable international organizations, including the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and the British Safety Council.”

The council was created primarily to integrate national policies and global best practices for occupational safety and health in the workplace.

On the legislative side, Saudi Arabia’s labor laws have mandated that employers provide comprehensive health insurance including essential preventive, therapeutic and healthcare services for all employees, the council stated.

The statement added: “Regulations also restrict work under direct sunlight during the summer months and establish working hours in accordance with international standards set forth in relevant ILO agreements.

“We emphasize the importance of verifying information and sourcing it from credible outlets.”


Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive

Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive
Updated 01 November 2024
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Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive

Thousands of volunteers join Madinah’s green future drive

MADINAH: Ayman bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, director general of the environment, water and agriculture branch in Madinah, has launched the “2024 National Planting Season” in the city.

The program extends the ministry’s nationwide campaign “We Plant for Our Future,” supporting sustainable environmental development and vegetation growth as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.

The regional campaign features 36 volunteer programs involving more than 1,800 female and male participants. Plans include planting 50,000 water-efficient and environmentally sustainable seedlings, comprising mesquites, thorn jujube and sweet acacia trees, alongside 20 other wild plant species, aiming to boost environmental and agricultural awareness.

The campaign’s first phase targets education facilities, Prince Sultan Military Medical City and the Saudi Authority for Industrial and Technology Zones, or Modon.

This effort focuses on expanding green spaces, streamlining planting processes, and encouraging community-wide participation in vegetation preservation and planting initiatives.
 


Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World

Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World
Updated 01 November 2024
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Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World

Horror in spotlight at Boulevard World

RIYADH: Boulevard World is offering an array of thrilling horror experiences, inviting visitors to embark on spine-chilling adventures filled with mystery and surprise.

One of its standout attractions, The Dolls' Trip, takes visitors into an abandoned doll factory hidden within an ancient Mexican pyramid. What starts as a school trip quickly turns into a nightmare as dolls come to life in the shadows, trapping visitors in dark, labyrinthine tunnels.

Along the way they encounter eerie scenes such as the abandoned bus and the doll workshop, in which the lifeless figures seem poised to awaken. This adventure accommodates groups of eight, ensuring an exhilarating experience.

In the Egypt zone, the Mystery of the Nile adventure plunges visitors into the depths of ancient Egyptian history.

Aboard a boat navigating a mystical river, guests face mummies that shake the boat violently. As they journey through narrow bridges and corridors filled with traps, hieroglyphic symbols light up the walls, accompanied by spine-tingling sounds. This experience features stunning visual and sound effects, keeping participants on high alert throughout.

Pyramid Trail, which is also in the Egypt zone, challenges visitors with puzzles and obstacles deep inside an ancient pyramid. The adventure begins in a laser-filled room in which participants must carefully maneuver to avoid detection.

They then board a conveyor belt adorned with hieroglyphic symbols, dodging moving obstacles. The journey concludes with leaps over circular trampolines above a snake-themed pit.

Meanwhile, The Vampire Hotel awaits visitors to the Italy zone, where an Italian-inspired design sets a dark and eerie atmosphere. The journey begins in a haunted elevator that leaves participants with an unsettled feeling.

As they navigate the dim corridors, visitors encounter sticky walls, with curtains and furniture moving mysteriously. The highlight of the experience is the coffin room, where guests are invited to lay inside coffins. The hotel also boasts a dining room resembling a chilling movie scene.

Boulevard World’s horror attractions promise unparalleled thrills during Riyadh Season 2024, offering visitors the chance to explore new levels of fear and excitement at every turn.