The total included three anti-personnel mines, 35 anti-tank mines, and 1,300 unexploded ordnances
Updated 22 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,338 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included three anti-personnel mines, 35 anti-tank mines, and 1,300 unexploded ordnances, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 462,289 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
Project Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help the Yemeni people, clearing routes for humanitarian aid to reach the country’s citizens.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
How French and Saudi architects are redesigning the cities of tomorrow
Riyadh, a city reconciling heritage and modernity, offers a diverse spectrum of opportunities for French architects to share their expertise
French-Saudi partnerships have thrived in AlUla, showcasing successful heritage preservation and architectural innovation
Updated 7 sec ago
Zeina Zbibo
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia today is synonymous with megaprojects. Since the launch of the Vision 2030 reform agenda, the Kingdom has rolled out a range of major infrastructure projects, spanning everything from education and healthcare, to tourism and public transport.
Last week, a new milestone was reached when King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro — just one of the significant projects launched under the Vision 2030 framework.
With demand for public transport on the rise, the new metro, which features six lines and 85 stations spread along 176 kms of track, will boost connectivity. Future extensions are already in the works, as the city builds new economic, tech, and cultural infrastructure.
French companies are part of this expansion. Indeed, French engineering and consulting firm Setec Group is working on the development of metro lines, among other projects, including King Salman Park.
Setec Group has a track record of working on iconic buildings, high-rise tower projects, and light rail transit developments. It is among several companies associated with the non-profit French Architects for Export (AFEX) exploring the potential for strategic partnerships in line with Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in megaprojects, infrastructure, urban planning, and landscape design aims to fuel its growth potential and increase its attractiveness in terms of foreign direct investment, tourism, hospitality, recreation, and sports.
Above, a view of the Ras Al-Khair water desalination plant along the Gulf coast in eastern Saudi Arabia. (AFP file photo)
The opportunities for French and Saudi collaborations are immense, as Vision 2030 positions Riyadh as one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRA) has become an active player in creating vibrant communities that reconcile tradition and modernity, growth, and sustainability.
The objective is to create a space that encourages community living and smart mobility under MOMRA 2.0, preserving the history and identity of the Kingdom’s cities, while working closely with municipalities to ensure implementation.
“The implementation and the concretization of Vision 2030 is striking,” Reda Amalou, AFEX’s president, said during a recent visit to Riyadh along with a delegation of French architects.
French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, center, visits a construction site of the Riyadh Metro under the contract of French company ALSTOM on Jan. 24, 2017. (AFP)
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened the economy to the world while preserving the country’s tradition.”
Amalou said AlUla is a successful example of French-Saudi cooperation, highlighting the necessity for AFEX to continue sharing expertise and contributing to the architecture scene in Saudi Arabia.
In March 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between AFEX and the Architecture and Design Commission to provide vocational training opportunities for young Saudi professionals at French firms.
Diriyah is a standout example of how the Kingdom is working to build a “city of the future” while preserving its unique heritage.
Inaugurated in 2019, the Diriyah project is in harmony with its surroundings, and is directly linked to Riyadh city, King Abdullah Financial District, and the new Murabba project, connecting tradition to modernity and the development of the city.
Saudi Arabia is also raising the bar for sustainability, placing it at the center of decision making.
The Green Riyadh project aims to increase the area devoted to green spaces from 1.5 percent to 9.1 percent, thereby improving air quality, enhancing quality of life, reducing energy consumption and, ultimately, making Riyadh one of the 100 most livable cities in the world.
Unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on April 3, the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives are designed to reduce carbon emissions in the region by 60 percent. (Supplied/Green Riyadh Project)
Across these megaprojects emerges the need to redesign cities with a minimal footprint, with hyper-connectivity and proximity, and invisible infrastructure, enabling access to services for a growing population.
Riyadh, a city reconciling heritage and modernity, offers a diverse spectrum of opportunities for French architects to share their expertise, and contribute to the realization of Vision 2030.
Riyadh to host talks on philosophy, quality of life
Updated 11 min 2 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission will host the fourth Riyadh International Philosophy Conference from Dec. 5-7, bringing together more than 60 prominent philosophers and thinkers from around the world.
With the theme “Philosophy and quality of life: Existence, truth and goodness,” the event will include keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Topics will examine the intersections of philosophy and reality, the philosophical dimensions of health and beauty, and ethical issues in society, showcasing how philosophical thought can enhance well-being and foster societal development.
Commission CEO Mohammed Alwan said that the conference serves as a platform reflecting the Kingdom’s leadership in promoting philosophical dialogue at both the local and international levels.
This year’s theme, he added, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision to enhance quality of life and encourage intellectual collaboration across borders.
Global institutions such as New Philosopher and The School of Life are taking part in the Saudi-hosted event for the first time.
The conference highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enriching the global cultural and intellectual landscape, attracting researchers, thinkers and students worldwide while reinforcing Riyadh’s status as a hub for philosophical dialogue and intellectual leadership, the SPA reported.
Right on time: Riyadh Metro engineers new era of urban mobility
The capital city’s new public transport system covers 176 kms of track
Updated 03 December 2024
MANAL AL-BARAKATI
RIYADH: In a city where rapid development has outpaced infrastructure, the Riyadh Metro is setting a new benchmark for urban transport in the Kingdom. The $23 billion mega-project, one of the largest metro systems built in a single phase, has six lines, 176 kilometers of track and 85 stations.
Engineering against the odds
Riyadh’s complex geological and urban landscapes posed unique challenges during construction. Beneath the city’s surface is dense limestone and breccia, which required the use of special tunnel boring machines, or TBMs, designed to navigate these demanding conditions.
The metro’s stations are a balance between form and function. (SPA)
“The geological conditions demanded not only technical sophistication but also real-time adaptability to ensure both speed and accuracy,” Roger Cruickshank, senior director at AtkinsRealis, which led the design of Lines 4, 5, and 6, said in an interview with Arab News.
The metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city. Additionally, the integration of underground, at-grade, and elevated tracks required careful consideration of Riyadh’s existing road networks.
FASTFACT
Riyadh Metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city.
“Restructuring road networks and ensuring smooth transitions between modes of transit were integral to minimizing disruption,” Cruickshank said.
Automation at the core
A defining feature of the Riyadh Metro is its Level 4 automation, eliminating the need for onboard operators. Centralized control centers manage operations through advanced algorithms and real-time data, ensuring seamless functionality.
Supporting this system are geotechnical monitoring tools, including fiber optic sensors and automated data acquisition systems, which continuously assess infrastructure health.
The metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. (SPA)
“These technologies provide real-time insights, allowing us to predict maintenance needs and address them before they escalate,” Cruickshank said.
The trains themselves are equipped with advanced safety features, such as early warning and remote diagnostic systems, enhancing passenger safety and operational reliability.
Predictive analytics further optimize system efficiency, extending the lifespan of critical components while minimizing downtime.
Functionality meets design
The metro’s stations are a balance between form and function. While designed to optimize passenger flow and connectivity, they also reflect Riyadh’s cultural identity through architectural motifs inspired by local heritage.
Roger Cruickshank, AtkinsRealis senior director
“The design integrates contemporary materials with traditional influences, making the infrastructure both practical and a visual complement to the city,” Cruickshank said.
The metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. The focus on accessibility ensures that the system serves Riyadh’s growing population effectively.
Sustainability
The Riyadh Metro aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by prioritizing sustainability; by promoting public transport, it is projected to significantly cut carbon emissions.
The design integrates contempor- ary materials with traditional influences, making the infrastruc- ture both practical and a visual complement to the city.
Roger Cruickshank, AtkinsRealis senior director
The system also incorporates energy-efficient technologies, such as regenerative braking and automated lighting, to minimize its environmental footprint.
“Noise and vibration mitigation strategies were essential to ensure the system operated harmoniously within the urban environment,” Cruickshank added. These measures, combined with the integration of green building standards, highlight the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The lessons from the project are already informing future initiatives in Saudi Arabia and beyond. “This project demonstrates how collaboration, advanced technology, and strategic planning can produce infrastructure that is both technically brilliant and sustainable,” Cruickshank said.
The Riyadh Metro provides a case study for cities worldwide grappling with urbanization and mobility challenges. By combining engineering excellence, technological innovation, and cultural sensitivity, authorities have created a transit network that not only meets today’s needs but anticipates the demands of tomorrow as well.
Saudi Arabia hosts military drills at Prince Sultan Airbase
8 other countries’ forces taking part in 2-week military exercise southeast of Riyadh
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Prince Sultan Airbase is hosting Tuwaiq 4 military drills with the air forces from eight other countries.
Alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force, combat pilots and military servicemen from Oman, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, the UK, the US, Greece, and the UAE participated on Monday in aerial drills at the base near Al-Kharj, southeast of Riyadh.
Forces from Egypt and Bahrain will be joining as observers in the two-week military exercise.
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Khanfour, a Saudi colonel pilot, said that Tuwaiq 4 drills looked to enhance cooperation, raise the level of readiness, and improve the combat efficiency of aircrews, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Drills will also focus on tactical landing, flying at high and low altitudes, operating in challenging scenarios, carrying out search and rescue operations, and enhancing ground technical support.
Tuwaiq 4 also includes lectures about prominent air combat technologies and theories of planning and commanding an air operation.
Hope in the desert: Onager returns to Saudi Arabia after a century
The Persian onager, a smaller relative of the extinct Equus hemionus hemippus, plays a vital role in the reserve’s ambitious landscape and seascape restoration program
Updated 02 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: In a significant advancement for wildlife conservation, Saudi Arabia has reintroduced the onager to its native habitat after over a century of absence, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
This achievement was made possible through a collaboration between the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature from Jordan.
Earlier this year, seven Persian onagers were brought from Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in Jordan to the royal reserve.
The return of the onager aligns with the reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030. (SPA)
The animals have reportedly adapted well to their new environment, with the birth of the first foal marking a pivotal moment in the rewilding process. The reintroduction highlights the importance of restoring ecosystems and creating a sustainable environment for endangered species to thrive.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority CEO Andrew Zaloumis said in a statement: “The reintroduction of the onager, a species historically celebrated by Arabic poets, is a transformative step for their conservation and a major milestone in the Kingdom's biodiversity efforts.”
He emphasized that the Persian onager, classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is now free to roam Saudi Arabia once again.
The Persian onager, a smaller relative of the extinct Equus hemionus hemippus, plays a vital role in the reserve’s ambitious landscape and seascape restoration program.
The royal reserve is actively working to restore ecosystems, ensuring the species can flourish while maintaining biodiversity. The onager serves as an ecological asset and a cultural symbol deeply rooted in Arabian history and tradition.
This collaborative endeavor with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature underscores the importance of cross-border conservation efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.
The president of the Jordanian organization’s board of directors, Batoul Ajlouni, expressed her delight at the reintroduction, emphasizing the importance of fostering real collaboration in conserving ecosystems and habitats through effective protected area management and capacity-building programs.
The return of the onager aligns with the reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030.
In addition to the onager, the reserve has reintroduced several other species, including Arabian oryx, Nubian ibex, sand gazelle, mountain gazelle, and various bird species.
These efforts form part of the Kingdom’s broader mission to enhance biodiversity and promote sustainable development.
As the onager thrives in its natural habitat, it stands as a symbol of hope and the importance of wildlife conservation in Saudi Arabia.
