Madinah’s Qanat Valley project: Striking a balance between eco-efficiency and development

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, right, and regional secretary Fahd Al-Blaishi inspecting the Qanat Valley environmental rehabilitation project on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Updated 18 June 2020
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Madinah’s Qanat Valley project: Striking a balance between eco-efficiency and development

MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman stressed the importance of achieving a balance between the built environment and natural resources as well as promoting the concept of eco-efficiency in development projects.

This came during the governor’s inspection visit, accompanied by the region’s secretary Fahd Al-Blaishi, to the Qanat Valley environmental rehabilitation project, which the Madinah municipality is implementing in phases over 16 km.

Prince Faisal said that the project to rehabilitate Qanat Valley aims to create a natural park and an environment free of pollutants in order to reach the highest standards of environmental development.

The project also seeks to create investment opportunities that suit the Qanat Valley environment, he added.

The first phase of the project, which is expected to be completed in 18 months, includes the establishment of a 70,000-square-meter park with seating areas and pedestrian and cycling paths.

In addition, the project will increase the valley’s capacity to cope with flooding, as well as allocating sites to be used as parks by residents and visitors to Madinah.


Saudi Arabia and Britain declare 2029 as cultural year

Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia and Britain declare 2029 as cultural year

  • The announcement coincides with Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week
  • The Saudi-British partnership in 2029 will emphasize culture, education, collaborative efforts in heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, and architecture

LONDON: The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced that 2029 will be designated as the “Saudi-British Cultural Year,” in partnership with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The announcement on Wednesday coincides with Prince William’s visit to the Kingdom this week. The declaration highlights the strong bond between the two kingdoms, which is rooted in over a century of diplomatic relations, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The Saudi-British partnership in 2029 will emphasize culture, education, and innovation, as well as collaborative efforts in heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, and architecture.

In 2029, the emphasis will be on celebrating creative dialogue and cultural heritage to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and the UK for future generations, the SPA added.

Separately, Saudi Arabia will also host the next session of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT) in 2029. This global platform for cultural dialogue was first held in Mexico in 1982.

The initiatives are part of Vision 2030 and reflect Saudi Arabia’s latest efforts on national, regional, and international levels to reinforce the role of culture in sustainable development.