1TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY

Saudi Arabian cities are going through an exceptional era of urbanization, caused by rapid growth of the local population and economy. In response to these trends, the country has conceptualized Saudi Vision 2030, a new transformation strategy that sets goals to improve the social and economic status of the population. Vision 2030 aims to achieve balance and sustainability in urban development and reliable service provision to the Saudi population.

In addition to the Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have established the “Future Saudi Cities Program” (FSCP) with the goal of addressing urban challenges and achieving sustainable urbanization for the Kingdom. These goals are aligned with the Ministry’s own Municipal Transformation Program, the New Urban Agenda, and Sustainable Development Goal 11: “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

Saudi Vision 2030 and the FSCP include objectives aimed at empowering women and youth. In Saudi Arabia, women represent nearly half of the population and young people represent two-thirds of the king¬dom’s population. The government has begun to recognize youth as a positive force for development and the integral role of women in the process of development.