Preserving the green in hot-arid desert environments : the case of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Most of the large metropolitan areas around the world suffer from a wide range of problems including insufficient green spaces.

Promoting urban green services in cities should be the objective to make livable, beautiful, and ecologically sustainable places.

Typically, such places allow for the protection of green spaces, treelined trails, water courses and habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Furthermore, well maintained green spaces are a good sign of the comprehensive ecological health of an ecosystem.

In keeping with this, provision of suitable green services, especially in cities located in a desert climate lacking adequate natural resources, is of paramount importance.

In this context, Riyadh city (the Saudi capital) has one of the lowest green services per capita, despite the remarkable efforts by the relevant departments.

However, preserving the scarce environmental resources available in a desert city may contribute positively towards achieving that objective.

Wadi Hanifa is regarded a vital resource for Riyadh.

It abounds with huge natural assets that could serve environmental and recreational activities.

Unfortunately, during the past few decades, the Wadi environs have suffered many issues that have affected its vital functions.

This has encouraged the government to carry out initiatives targeting the restoration of its natural form in order to strengthen the green systems in the city.

This paper underlines first the importance of green spaces, highlights some international standards, and then describes the existing conditions of the case study.

The paper will investigate the role of the Wadi as the major open and green space source for the city.

The Wadi can be prescribed as a solution to overcome the issue of being far below the international standards of green space per capita.

Based on this approach the paper reviews the key features of the Wadi rehabilitation project.

The paper follows a descriptive paradigm which is based on exploratory and deductive means of data collection.

To achieve the paper objectives, secondary data and local and international experiences were used and reviewed.

A conclusion was presented at the end to point up the opportunity of the Wadi for the city.

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Introduction1 Most cities around the world face pressing issues associated with rapid growth, high rates of urbanization, unsustainable use of natural resources, effects of global climate change, escalating water and air pollution, and the continual deterioration of the environment.

However, there are many cities that have started to devise unique strategies or interventions to protect the vitality of local and regional natural systems.

Creating sustainable strategies for urban development can be achieved if the built and natural environments are integrated (1) Contact: P.

O.

Box 57448, Riyadh 11574, Saudi Arabia.

Fax: +96614696999.

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